| Preparation |
Just what you need to know ! |
Exponents
The power n is called the exponent and a is called the base in an.
For example in 74, 4 is the exponent and 7 is the base.
The rules or laws of exponents are:
| MUST-KNOW:
Rule 1 : an × am = an + m
Rule 2 : an × bn = (a b)n
Rule 3 : (an)m = anm
|
Here, a and b are any numbers, and n and m are any positive integers or zero.
Consider the following examples:
Rule 1 : 22 × 25 = 4 × 32 = 128 and 22 × 25 = 27 = 128
Rule 2 : 23 × 43 = 8 × 64 = 512 and 23 × 43 = 83 = 512
Rule 3 : (32)3 = 93 = 729 and (32)3 = 36 = 729
If n is a positive integer, then a negative exponent is defined as
MUST-KNOW : a−n = 1/an
This is obtained from the first law of exponents as follows:
a−n × an = a−n + n = a0 = 1, so a−n = 1/an.
For example, 2−4 = 1/24 = 1/16 and (¼)−1 = 1/(¼) = 4
GMAT Math Review - Arithmetic : Index for Powers & Roots of Numbers
GMAT Math Review - Arithmetic : Practice Exercise for Powers & Roots of Numbers
|
