Laws of indices, zero and negative powers
Write powers out as factors on a fraction bar: multiply by putting the factors together, divide by cancelling equal factors above and below, and see why a⁰ = 1 and why a negative index means a fraction.
- UK: Year 9
- France: grade 8
- Germany: grade 7
- Iran: grade 7
- Afghanistan: grade 7
- Syria: grade 8
- Palestine: grade 9
- Ukraine: grade 7
- Russia: grade 7
Guide
This studio follows GCSE N7: the laws of indices, with zero, negative and fractional indices.
In 25, 2 is the base (of a power) and 5 is the index (exponent): 25 means five 2s multiplied together, 2×2×2×2×2.
On the board, each chip is a factor. Tap a chip, then Split to write it as its factors. Tap a chip above the bar, then an equal chip below it, to cancel them: they divide to make 1.
Type your answer on the keypad. The □ⁿ key writes an index: 2, □ⁿ, 7 gives 27.