OML Search

Adding Indices

Related Topics:
More Lessons for Arithmetic, Math Worksheets

When multiplying numbers in exponent notation with the same base, we can add the exponents.


a2 × a3 = (a × a) × (a × a × a)
= a2 + 3
= a5

This is the first law of exponents:
am × an = am + n


Simplify the following; give your answers in exponent form

a) 33 × 32
b) x5 × x3


a) 33 × 32 = 33 + 2
= 35
b) x5 × x3 = x5 + 3
= x8

Common Error : The first law of exponents does NOT apply to addition of numbers in exponent notation.

am + an ≠ am + n

The following video shows some examples of adding exponents.
Index rules - add and subtract indices
Basic look at the first two index laws




OML Search


[?] Subscribe To This Site

follow us in feedly
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines