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Indices - GCSE Maths Definition

Reviewed by: Mark Curtis

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Indices, also known as powers or exponents, are a way to show that a number is being multiplied by itself a certain number of times.
For example, in the expression 2 cubed, the base is 2 and the index (or exponent) is 3. This means you multiply 2 by itself three times: 2 cross times 2 cross times 2 equals 8.
Indices are helpful for writing big numbers more simply and for solving mathematical problems quickly. In GCSE Maths, you'll learn index rules like the 'product of powers' and 'power of a power', which help make calculations easier when using indices.

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Mark Curtis

Reviewer: Mark Curtis

Expertise: Maths Content Creator

Mark graduated twice from the University of Oxford: once in 2009 with a First in Mathematics, then again in 2013 with a PhD (DPhil) in Mathematics. He has had nine successful years as a secondary school teacher, specialising in A-Level Further Maths and running extension classes for Oxbridge Maths applicants. Alongside his teaching, he has written five internal textbooks, introduced new spiralling school curriculums and trained other Maths teachers through outreach programmes.

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