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Chapter 10: Exponents and Powers > Laws of Exponents

Laws of Exponents

We have learnt that for any non-zero integer a , am×an=am+n, where m and n are natural numbers.

Does this law also hold if the exponents are negative?

(i) Let us explore. 23 and 22

23and22

  • We know that 23 = and 22 =
  • Numerators and denominators are same, so add the powers
  • We get the result as
  • If we bring denominator to numerator then the power will be

(ii) Take 34×33

34×33

  • We know that 34 = and 33 =
  • Numerators and denominators are same so, add the powers
  • We get the result as
  • If we bring denominator to numerator then the power will be

(iii) Now consider 52×54

52×54

  • we know that 52 =
  • Divide the exponents
  • Numerators and denominators are same so, subtract the powers
  • We get the result
  • If we bring denominator to numerator then the power will be

In general, we can say that for any non-zero integer am×an=am+n, where m and n are integers.

Try these.

Match the below exponents

Instructions

(–2)^(–3) × (–2)^(–4)
p^3 × p^(–10)
3^2 × 3^(-5) × 3^(6)
3^3
-2^(-7)
p^(-7)

On the same lines you can verify the following laws of exponents, where a and b are non zero integers and m, n are any integers.

(i) aman=amn(ii) amn=amn(iii) am×bm=abm
(iv) ambm=abm(v) a0=1

Examples on Laws OF Exponents

Let us solve some examples using the above Laws of Exponents.

Example 1: Find the value of:

Instructions

(i) 23 = 123 =
(ii) 132 = = × =

Example 2: Simplify:

Instructions

(i) 45×410
We know that am×an =
45×410 = 4510 = =
(ii) 25÷26
We know that: am÷an =
25÷26 = 256 =

Note :an= 1 only if n = 0.

This will work for any a.

For a = 1, 11= 12= 13 = 12... = 1 or 1n= 1 for infinitely many n.

For a = –1, 10= 12= 14= 12 = ... 1 or 1p = 1 for any even integer p.

Example 3: Express 43 as a power with the base 2.

Solution:

We have, 4 = 2 × 2 =

Therefore, 43 = 2×23 = = =

Example 4: Simplify and write the answer in the exponential form.

(i) 25÷285×25

simply the exponential form

  • Here exponential form is 25÷285×25
  • 2 is the Base of all terms so, subtract the powers in the bracket. We get the result is
  • Bases are same so, multiply the powers
  • we get the result is
  • converting the exponent:

(ii) 43 × 53 × 53

= 4×5×53 = 1003 = 11003

(iii) 18×33 = 123× 33 = 23× 33 = 2×33 = 63 = 163

(iv) 34 × 534 = 1×34 × 5434 = 14×34 × 5434 = 14 × 54 = (as 14 = )

Example 5: Find m so that 3m+1×35=37

Find value of m

  • Here is the exponent is 3m+1×35=37
  • Bases are same then add the exponents,we get power is
  • On both the sides, we have the same base, so their exponents must be equal.
  • subtracting the values
  • Hence m is

Example 6: Find the value of 232

232=2232=3222=

In general, abm=bam

Example 7: Simplify

(i) 132123÷142

= 12321323÷1242

= 12321323÷1242

= 312213÷412

= ( - ) ÷ =

(ii) 587×855

= 5787×8555

= 5755×8587

= 575×857

= 52 × 82

= 8252 =