Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
A. Formulas (公式)
A formula is an algebraic equality relating two or more variables.
Consider the formula A = 3b – 8.
(i) When b = 2, by the method of substitution (ii) By changing the subject of the formula
(代入法), (公式的主項) to b,
A = 3(2) – 8 = −2 A = 3b − 8
A + 8 = 3b
A+8
=b
3
A+8
∴ b= ◂ b is expressed in terms of A.
3
(Method of substitution)
Consider the formula R = (5 – a)b.
(a) If a = 9 and b = –3, find the value of R.
(b) If R = 40 and b = 10, find the value of a.
(a) When a = 9 and b = –3,
R = (5 – 9)(–3) ◂ Substitute a = 9 and b = –3 into the
formula R = (5 – a)b.
= (–4)(–3)
= 12
(b) When R = 40 and b = 10,
40 = (5 – a)(10) ◂ Substitute R = 40 and b = 10 into the
formula R = (5 – a)b.
4=5–a
a=5–4
=1
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
E (Change of subject of a formula)
C
(a) In each of the following, make a the subject of the given formula.
3
(i) S= (ii) R = 6a + b
a +1
(b) For the formula in (a)(i), find the value of a when S = –6.
3
(a) (i) S=
a +1
S ( a + 1) = 3 ◂ Multiply both sides by a + 1.
Sa + S = 3 ◂ Remove the brackets.
Sa = 3 − S ◂ Move all the terms without a to the same side.
3− S
a= ◂ Divide both sides by S.
S
(ii) R = 6a + b
R − b = 6a ◂ Move all the terms without a to the same side.
R −b
a= ◂ Divide both sides by 6.
6
3 − (−6) 3 −S
(b) When S = –6, a = ◂ Substitute S = –6 into the formula a = .
−6 S
9
=
−6
3
=−
2
B. Index Notation (指數記數法)
If n is a positive integer, then an means that ‘a’ is multiplied by itself n times,
n
i.e. an = a × a × … × a × a ◂ a is read as ‘the nth power of a’ or ‘a to the power n’ (a 的 n 次冪).
n times
where a is called the base (底) and n is called the index or exponent (指數).
C. Zero and Negative Integral Indices
If a ≠ 0, then
a0 = 1
0
(1) e.g. 4 = 1
–n 1 –2 1 1
(2) a = , where n is a positive integer e.g. 3 = =
an 32 9
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
D. Laws of Integral Indices (整數指數律)
If a, b ≠ 0 and both m and n are integers, then
m+n 3+4
a ×a =a
m n 3 4 7
Law (1): e.g. h × h = h =h
am m–n h6 6–2 4
a ÷a = =a =h =h
m n
Law (2): n
e.g. 2
a h
e.g. (k ) = k 3×2 = k
m×n 3 2 6
(a ) = a
m n
Law (3):
3 3 3 3
e.g. (–2n) = (–2) × n = –8n
n n n
Law (4): (ab) = a b
n 2
a an m m2 m2
Law (5): = n e.g. = 2 =
b b 5 5 25
E
C (Zero and negative integral indices)
Find the values of the following expressions without using a calculator.
(Leave your answers in fractions if necessary.)
−1
0 3 0 3 –2 –2 3
(a) –2 × (–1 ) (b) 2 ÷ (–4) (c) 3 ×
2
0 3 0
(a) –2 × (–1 ) = –1 × 1 ◂ 2 = 1 and (1 ) = 1.
0 –3 0
= −1
1 1
(b) 23 ÷ ( −4) −2 = 8 ÷ –2
◂ (–4) =
(−4) 2 ( −4)2
1
= 8÷
16
= 8 ×16
= 128
−1 1
−23 1 2
(c) 3 × = 2 ×
2 3 3
For any a, b ≠ 0,
1 2
= ×
9 3
2
=
27
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
(Laws of integral indices)
Simplify the following expressions.
2
3 2 6 2 h4
(a) c × 5c (b) 8p ÷ 2p (c)
3
4
5 2 y
2 3
(d) (–mn) × mn (e) (y ) ÷
x
3 2 3 2
(a) c × 5c = c × 5 × c
3+2
=5×c
m+n
◂ Law (1): a × a = a
m n
= 5c 5
8 p6
(b) 8p6 ÷ 2p2 =
2 p2
am
= 4p
6–2
=a
m–n
◂ Law (2):
an
= 4 p4
2
h 4 (h 4 ) 2 a an
n
(c) = 2 ◂ Law (5): = n
3 3 b b
h 4×2
= ◂ Law (3): (a ) = a
m n mn
9
h8
=
9
5 2 5 5 5 2
(d) (–mn) × mn = (–1) m n × mn ◂ Law (4): (ab) = a b
n n n
5+1 5+2 m+n
= –m ◂ Law (1): a × a = a
m n
n
= −m6 n7
4
y y4 a an
n
(e) ( y 2 )3 ÷ = y 2×3 ÷ 4 ◂ Law (3): (a ) = a
m n mn
and Law (5): = n
x x b b
4
x
= y6 × 4
y
= y 6− 4 × x 4 am
=a
m–n
◂ Law (2):
an
= y2 x4
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
E (Zero and negative integral indices + Laws of integral indices)
C
Simplify the following expressions and express your answers with positive indices.
(a −3 )0 × a −6 –2 3 –3 ( x−1 y 2 )2
(a) (b) (–2m n ) (c)
a −4 ( xy 0 )3
( a −3 ) 0 × a −6 1 × a −6
(a) = −4 ◂ (a ) = 1
–3 0
a −4 a
−6 − ( −4)
=a
= a −2
1
= ◂ Express the answer with positive index.
a2
1
(b) ( −2 m −2 n 3 ) −3 =
( − 2 m −2 n 3 ) 3
1
=
( −2) m −2×3 n 3×3
3
1
=
− 8 m −6 n 9
m6 1
=− 9 ◂ −6 = m
6
8n m
( x −1 y 2 ) 2 x −1×2 y 2×2
(c) = ◂y =1
0
( xy 0 )3 x3
x −2 y 4
=
x3
= x −2−3 y 4
= x −5 y 4
y4
= 5
x
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
E (Simplify expressions involving unknown indices)
C
Simplify the following expressions, where n is a positive integer, and express your answers with
positive indices.
+3
n 3n n+1 n
(a) 4 × 2 (b) 3
(a) 4 × 2 = (2 ) × 2
n 3n 2 n 3n
◂ Express 4 as a power of 2.
=2 ×2
2n 3n
= 25 n
+3 =3 ×3 +3
n+1 n n 1 n
(b) 3
= 3 × (3 + 1)
n n
◂ Take out the common factor 3 .
= 4(3n )
Exercise 1
Level 1
1. In each of the following, find the value of S when c = 6 and d = 8.
c+d
(a) S= (b) S = c2 + d 2
2
2. In each of the following, find the value of h when V = 48 and r = 4.
r2
(a) V = (b) V = (h + 1)r
h
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
3. In each of the following, make r the subject of the formula.
rs 2
(a) W = (b) P = C + rT
−3
4. In each of the following, make k the subject of the formula.
2 k + 2r
(a) m = (b) k =
5+ k 5
5. Find the values of the following expressions without using a calculator.
(Leave your answers in fractions if necessary.)
−3
–2 3 0 3 –1 1 0 –2
(a) 2 × (5 ) (b) (–3) ÷ 6 (c) × (4 )
2
6. Simplify the following expressions.
(a) 4a3 × 2a7 (b) –9p8 ÷ 6p2
7. Simplify the following expressions.
2
(b) (y4)0 ×
y
(a) (2x4)3
3
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
8. Simplify the following expressions and express your answers with positive indices.
–5 2 k7 3 –2 –3
(a) h × h (b) 9
(c) (x y )
3k
9. Simplify the following expressions and express your answers with positive indices.
2
–3 3 4 2 −5c 4 x −5 × (− x6 )0
(a) (a ) × (a ) (b) −3 (c)
c x −3
Level 2
10. (a) Make k the subject of the formula hk = 7 – 2k.
(b) Hence, if h = –9, find the value of k.
1 1 1
11. (a) Make c the subject of the formula = − .
a b c
(b) Hence, if a = 6 and b = –2, find the value of c.
12. Simplify the following expressions.
−7 p4 q3
(a) x2y3 × 2x4y2 (b)
21 pq 2
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
13. Simplify the following expressions.
m2 n 4 × (−mn 2 ) ( − a 2b ) 3
(a) (b)
mn a 4b 2
14. Simplify the following expressions and express your answers with positive indices.
2 –2 2x –2 3 4 5 (a 2b −1 )2
(a) x y × 3 (b) (p q ) (p q) (c)
y a −3b
15. Simplify the following expressions and express your answers with positive indices.
−3 −2
2h (h−3k )−1 −2 s r 2 s x −1 y 2
(a) × (b) ÷ (c) −4
k 2 (2k )0 r3 2 xy
16. Simplify the following expressions, where n is a positive integer, and express your answers with
positive indices.
3−2 × 9n +1 6n
(a) (b)
3n 2n × 3
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
Further Exercise
1. Find the values of the following expressions without using a calculator.
(Leave your answers in fractions if necessary.)
−2 4
1 1
(b) 2 ×
–2 –3
(a) 9 ÷ 3
16 2
2. Simplify the following expressions and express your answers with positive indices.
−1
( x −1 y −3 )2 4 0 –3 2 3 2 x 3 4
(a) (b) (–m n ) × (m n) (c) −4 2
( x3 )−2 y x y
E 1 1
C 3. Simplify 3530 × 324 . Express your answer in the form of r , where r is a positive integer.
9 3
4. Simplify the following expressions, where n is a positive integer, and express your answers with
positive indices.
2n + 2n + 3 52n
(a) (b)
9 25n − 52n−1
Make x the subject of the formula (x – a) – (x + 2b) = 0.
2 2
5.
E 2k − 5m
C 6. (a) Make k the subject of the formula = k +2.
4
(b) Write down the change of value in k when m is increased by 10.
E
C 7. Sophie deposits a sum of money $P in a bank. The amount $A that she will obtain after t years
t
can be given by the formula A = P 1 + .
50
(a) Make t the subject of the formula.
(b) If Sophie deposits $4000 in the bank, use the result of (a) to find the number of years for
the amount to become $6400.
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Bridge Programme S3 to S4 1 Formulas and Laws of Indices
Key Terms / Phrases
formula 公式 power 冪
method of substitution 代入法 base 底
the subject of the formula 公式的主項 index (indices) / exponent 指數
index notation 指數記數法 laws of integral indices 整數指數律
to
2. (a) 把下列各公式的主項變換為 a。
(b) 對於 (a)(i) 的公式，求當 S = –6 時 a 的值。
3. 試不使用計算機，求下列各數式的值。
(如有需要，答案以分數表示。)
5. 化簡下列各數式，並以正指數表示答案。
6. 已知 n 為正整數，化簡下列各數式，並以正指數表示答案。
Further Exercise
1 1
3. 化簡 3530 × 324 ，並把答案表示為以 r 的形式，其中 r 為正整數。
9 3
2k − 5m
6. (a) 把公式 = k + 2 的主項變換為 k。
4
(b) 若 m 的值增加 10，寫出 k 的值的改變。
7. 詠恩把一筆款項 $P 存入銀行。她在 t 年後所得的本利和 $A 可用以下公式求得：
t
A = P 1 +
50
(a) 把上述公式的主項變換為 t。
(b) 若詠恩把 $4000 存入銀行，利用 (a) 的結果，問她在多少年後可得本利和 $6400？
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