Exponents & Logarithms (DP IB Applications & Interpretation (AI)) : Revision Note

Did this video help you?

Laws of Indices

What are the laws of indices?

  • Laws of indices (or index laws) allow you to simplify and manipulate expressions involving exponents

    • An exponent is a power that a number (called the base) is raised to

    • Laws of indices can be used when the numbers are written with the same base

  • The index laws you need to know are:

    • left parenthesis x y right parenthesis to the power of m equals x to the power of m end exponent y to the power of m

    • stretchy left parenthesis x over y stretchy right parenthesis to the power of m equals x to the power of m over y to the power of m

    • x to the power of m cross times x to the power of n equals x to the power of m plus n end exponent

    • x to the power of m divided by x to the power of n equals x to the power of m minus n end exponent

    • stretchy left parenthesis x to the power of m stretchy right parenthesis to the power of n equals x to the power of m n end exponent

    • x to the power of 1 equals x

    • x to the power of 0 equals 1

    • 1 over x to the power of m equals x to the power of negative m end exponent

  • These laws are not in the formula booklet so you must remember them

How are laws of indices used?

  • You will need to be able to carry out multiple calculations with the laws of indices

    • Take your time and apply each law individually

    • Work with numbers first and then with algebra

  • Index laws only work with terms that have the same base, make sure you change the base of the term before using any of the index laws

    • Changing the base means rewriting the number as an exponent with the base you need

    • For example, 9 to the power of 4 equals left parenthesis 3 squared right parenthesis to the power of 4 equals 3 to the power of 2 cross times 4 end exponent equals 3 to the power of 8

    • Using the above can them help with problems like 9 to the power of 4 divided by 3 to the power of 7 equals 3 to the power of 8 divided by 3 to the power of 7 equals 3 to the power of 1 equals 3

Examiner Tips and Tricks

  • Index laws are rarely a question on their own in the exam but are often needed to help you solve other problems, especially when working with logarithms or polynomials

  • Look out for times when the laws of indices can be applied to help you solve a problem algebraically 

Worked Example

Simplify the following equations:

i) fraction numerator left parenthesis 3 x squared right parenthesis left parenthesis 2 x cubed y squared right parenthesis over denominator left parenthesis 6 x squared y right parenthesis end fraction.

 

ai-sl-1-1-2-laws-of-indices-we-i

ii) left parenthesis 4 x squared y to the power of negative 4 end exponent right parenthesis cubed left parenthesis 2 x cubed y to the power of negative 1 end exponent right parenthesis to the power of negative 2 end exponent.

 

ai-sl-1-1-2-laws-of-indices-we-ii


Did this video help you?

Introduction to Logarithms

What are logarithms?

  • A logarithm is the inverse of an exponent

    • If a to the power of x equals b then log subscript a open parentheses b close parentheses equals x where a > 0, b > 0, a ≠ 1

      • This is in the formula booklet

      • The number a is called the base of the logarithm

      • Your GDC will be able to use this function to solve equations involving exponents

  • Try to get used to ‘reading’ logarithm statements to yourself

    • log subscript a left parenthesis b right parenthesis space equals space x would be read as “the power that you raise a to, to get b, is x

    • So log subscript 5 125 space equals space 3 would be read as “the power that you raise 5 to, to get 125, is 3”

  • Two important cases are:

    • ln space x equals log subscript straight e open parentheses x close parentheses

      • Where e is the mathematical constant 2.718…

      • This is called the natural logarithm and will have its own button on your GDC

    • log space x equals log subscript 10 open parentheses x close parentheses

      • Logarithms of base 10 are used often and so abbreviated to log x

Why use logarithms?

  • Logarithms allow us to solve equations where the exponent is the unknown value

    • We can solve some of these by inspection

      • For example, for the equation 2x = 8 we know that x must be 3

    • Logarithms allow use to solve more complicated problems

      • For example, the equation 2x = 10 does not have a clear answer

      • Instead, we can use our GDCs to find the value of log subscript 2 10

Examiner Tips and Tricks

  • Before going into the exam, make sure you are completely familiar with your GDC and know how to use its logarithm functions

Worked Example

Solve the following equations:

i)

x equals log subscript 3 27,

 

ai-sl-1-1-2intro-to-logs-we-i

ii)

2 to the power of x equals 21.4, giving your answer to 3 s.f.

 

ai-sl-1-1-2intro-to-logs-we-ii
👀 You've read 1 of your 5 free revision notes this week
An illustration of students holding their exam resultsUnlock more revision notes. It's free!

By signing up you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Already have an account? Log in

Did this page help you?

Download notes on Exponents & Logarithms