Laws of Indices

Explore how powers combine, including zero, negative and fractional indices, then practise selecting the correct law.

Curriculum rangeYears 8–11

First power (m)

Second power (n)

$a^{5} \times a^{3}$

Same base -- add the powers.

$= a^{5 + 3} = a^{8}$

These rules only work when both sides have the same base (here, a).