Laws of Indices

The laws of indices are rules for combining powers with the same base, such as $a^{m}\times a^{n}=a^{m+n}$, $a^{m}\div a^{n}=a^{m-n}$, and $(a^{m})^{n}=a^{mn}$. They also give $a^{0}=1$ and $a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^{n}}$.

These laws simplify expressions and solve index equations.

You meet Laws of Indices in the Indices, Surds and Logarithms chapter of SPM Additional Mathematics. Knowing the term precisely matters in the exam: questions often hinge on reading a keyword correctly, and because SPM marking is analytic, using the right definition in your working helps secure method marks.

Our teachers make sure a student can not only recite what Laws of Indices means but use it fluently in a full solution.

Because the SPM Add Math paper is bilingual (BM/EN), it helps to know this term in each language: Laws of Indices (EN) · Hukum Indeks (BM) · 指数定律 (中文)

Other key terms from the Indices, Surds and Logarithms chapter you may want to check:

• Index
• Surd
• Rationalising the Denominator
• Logarithm
• Laws of Logarithms
• Change of Base Formula