Laws of indices · Year 9
In Year 9 you learn: multiplying and dividing powers.
Index laws are shortcuts for multiplying and dividing powers of the same number. They follow straight from what a power means, and they extend powers to zero, negative and fractional indices, which are used throughout algebra, science and finance.
Worked examples
Example 1
Simplify x^5 × x^3 ÷ x^2.
Answer: x^6
Example 2
Evaluate 27^(−2/3).
Answer: 1/9