GCSE Maths: Indices & Powers
Practise GCSE Maths indices including the laws of indices, negative powers, fractional powers and zero index. AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.
NumberFoundation & HigherAQA · Edexcel · OCR · Eduqas
What you need to know
The concepts examiners test on indices & powers, and what each one is really asking.
Laws of indices
Negative indices
Fractional indices
Zero index
Powers of powers
Where marks get lost
The exam technique that separates a correct method from a correct answer.
- aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ (multiply — add powers)
- aᵐ ÷ aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ (divide — subtract powers)
- a^(1/n) = ⁿ√a (fractional index is a root)
Indices & Powers questions students ask
What does a negative index mean?
A negative index means the reciprocal. For example, 2⁻³ = 1/2³ = 1/8.
What does a fractional index mean?
The denominator of a fractional index gives the root. a^(1/2) = √a, a^(1/3) = ∛a. For a^(m/n) = (ⁿ√a)ᵐ.