MA09-06 Maths Coming soon
Index Notation: Negative, Zero and Fractional Powers
MA09-06
This lesson is coming soon.
In this lesson
Interpret and evaluate algebraic and numeric terms with negative, zero, and (Higher tier) fractional powers, converting each to its equivalent reciprocal, root, or value.
What it covers
- A^0 = 1 for any non-zero a
- A^-n = 1/a^n: a negative power means a reciprocal, not a negative value
- A^(1/n) = the nth root of a (Higher)
- A^(m/n) = the nth root of a, then raised to the power m (Higher)
- Evaluate a numeric example of each rule above, and simplify a simple algebraic term written with such a power
Key words
For: Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1, Cambridge IGCSE 0580
On the specification
| Board | Spec | Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 | F2.1C | Use index notation for positive and negative integer powers (including zero) |
| Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 | H2.1A | Use index notation involving fractional, negative and zero powers |
| Cambridge IGCSE 0580 | C2.4 | Understand and use indices (positive, zero and negative). |
| Cambridge IGCSE 0580 | E2.4 | Understand and use indices (positive, zero, negative and fractional). |
For teachers
This GCSE Maths lesson teaches index notation: negative, zero and fractional powers. By the end, students should be able to interpret and evaluate algebraic and numeric terms with negative, zero, and (Higher tier) fractional powers, converting each to its equivalent reciprocal, root, or value. It works through three worked examples and the mistakes examiners report.