2

POWERS

2.1 INTRODUCTION

In earlier cleass, we have learnt about powers and exponents of rational numbers. We have
learnt that for any non-zero rational number 'a' and a natural number n, the product

n-times i.e. the continued product of 'a' multiplied with itself n-times, is written as
a". It is known as the nth power of a' and is read as "a raised to the power n". The rational
number a' is called the base and n is called the exponent or index. This notation of writing
the product of a rational number by itself several times is called the exponential notation
or power notation.

We have learnt the following laws of exponents:

(i) a xa" = an+ (First law)

(ii) a m>n (Second 1law)

(ii) (a)" = a = (a")" (Third law)

(iv) (aby" = a" b" (Fourth law)

(Fifth law)

(vi) a' =a a n d a" =1,

rational numbers and m, n are whole numbers.

where a and b are n o n - z e r o
and negative both) exponents
chapter, shall learn the laws of integral (positive
n this we
have already learnt the laws of positive integral
exponents of
f rational numbers. As we know about negative integral exponents.
ational numbers, s o let u s
EXPONENTS
2 NEGATIVE INTEGRAL
aclass VII, we have learnt that:

10 1
10=10
10=100

10 =1000

10=10000 and so on.

22 Mathematics br Class Vta
We know that

10000-1000
10

1000
10
100
100-10
10

In exponential notation these results can be written as follows:

10-10
10
or, 10 -10
10

10
t0 10 or, 1010
10

10-10
10 or,10- 10
=1=10) or, 10° -1-
These results exhibit a pattern that as the exponent
of 10 decreases by 1, the value
is continued, we must
becomes one-tenth of the previous value. So, if the same pattern
have

10 10

10 10 10 10 10 100 10

103
10 10= 1-1 1
+1010 100 1000 10

10 +10 1 , 1 1 1 and so on.

1000 10 1000 10000 10
This suggests us the following definition for negative integral exponents of a non-zero

rational number.
NEGATIVE INTEGRAL EXPONENT For any non-2ero rational number 'u and a positive
integer, we define

i.e., is the reciprocal of a".

POWers
2.3

For example,

7 5
(iv) 1016 1
1016 etc.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example 1 Express each of the following as a rational number of the form :
(i) 5-3 di) (-2
Solution We know that, if a is a non-zero rational number and n is a positive integer,
then

Thus, we have

5
1
125

1
G) (-2-2
1
-32 32

when n is a whole number|

( 3 3
1
64 64
27

iv)
1
a a"

625
16
625
16 -for n>
 Mathematics for Class

()

Exaple 2 Epress ench of the tollowing as a rational number of the form:

()
Sation i) We have,

1 1
a

6
x 64 125 125
64 9 64
64 125
(ii) We have,

7
-7x7x7x7,-7x-7_7 117649
(-2 16 25 16x 25 400 400

Example 3 Express each of the following as power of a rational number with positive
exponent:

G5x65-x5-6 )
Solution i) We have,

114=4
(ii) We have,

1x1 1 1 1
5- x5
POwers
2.5

(ii) We have,

x . 4x4 46+7
(-16 -1 (-1)x(-1) 1 4
Example4 Simplify:

(.5( () (6-8-1+(21-8r1
(ii) (5-1x3-1+ 6-1 Giv) (4+8')-|:
Solution i) We have,

- =-10

(ii) We have,

(67- 8+ (r1-'

24
(iii) We have,

(57 x31)+ 6-1

15
 2.6 thematics for
(iv) We have,
-1

-( ) )
Example 5 Simplify:
-1

(ii)
Solution ) We have,

-2

42 2333
=
4 +22 +3 =16 +4+9 29
(ii) We have,

2
Example 6 Express each of the following as a
rational number of the form

(i) (21+3 (i)

(21-41
Solution We know that for any positive integer n and 1
Thus, we have any rational number a, a

("-G )-(- 25
36

GD(r-- )-(-
Powers 2.7

(iii)

3
Example 7 By what number should (-8)1 be multiplied so that the product may be
equal to 10-1?
Solution Let (-8) be multiplied by x to get 101. Then,
*X(-8) =10-1

x =101+ (-8)1
*=.

Hence, the required number is

Example 8 By what number should (-24) be divided so that the quotient may be 3-12?
Solution Let the required number be x. Then,
(-24) x=3
24)-3-1
1

3 - 3 -24a* *248
Aliter We know that
Dividend = Quotient x Divisor

or, Divisor = Dividend Quotient

Here, Dividend = (-24) and Quotient

Divisor (-24) 3-1

2.8 EXERCISE 2.1
where p
and g are
form
number of the
rational
following as
a
each of the -2
1. Express 2
integers
and g #
0:

ii)
(iv) (3
(ii) (-4)
i) 2-3
following:
of the
the values of each (i) ( 3 + 4 ) x 2 2
2. Find

(i) 3 +4
(iv)
(iii) (3+ 4-l +51°
the following:
values of each of
3. Find the

ii)

(ii) (2-lx41)+22
(iv) (5x2 ) +6-1

4. Simplify:
(ii) (5- 6)
(41 x31
Civ) (3x4-1)x5-1
Cii) (2+3-1
5. Simplify:
3

(8+2)

auoG- -) iv) (2+8-42) -(;

that the product may be equal to (-7)?
6. By what number should 5 be multiplied so

7. By what number should be multiplied so that the product may be equal to

-1

8. By what number should (-15)- be divided so that the quotient may be equal to (-5)-1?

ANSWERS
1 9
1. 8
1 i) 16 (ii) 9 (iv) 32 ()
7
2. 19 (ii) 5 (ii) 1 Civ) -1
12
1 3
3. ) 9 (i) 29 (ii) 2
(iv)5
 2.9
Powers

216
(i) 125 ii) 5 Giv)
4. ) 144
135 -4
13
5. (ii) (iii) 64
iv) 3
1
7. 8.
6 3

2.3 DECIMAL NUMBER SYSTEM

form.
to express decimal numbers in the expanded
In earlier classes, we have learnt how
For example, 5473.35 can be expressed in
the following form:
5
5473.355x 1000 4x100 +7x10+8x1+-3
+ 10t
10 100
1000
Similarly, we have
3
0.273=0XIt 10 100 1000
0.273 = 0 x 1 + + 4

2
15.235 =1x10+5x1+4-4
10 100 1000
Using exponents, we have
10000 = 10", 1000 = 10, 100= 10, 10=10*

1 1
1-10, 102= 100
10 010 00 103 1000
1000
10
10000
etc.

5473.35=5x10* + 4x 10 + 7x 10 +3x 10 + 3x 10' + 5x 102

0.273 2x10 +7x102 +3 x103
and, 15.235 1x 10+ 5x 10' +2x 10+ 3x 102 + 5x 103
Thus, any decimal number
can be written in expanded form by using integral exponents
of 10

2.4 LAWS OF INTEGRAL EXPONENTS

of rational numbers. In earlier
In this section, we shall discuss laws of integral exponents
rational numbers when exponents are
class, we have learnt following laws of exponents of
whole numbers.
If m, n are whole numbers and a, b are non-zero rational numbers, then

i) a"xa" =
mtn
a" (First law)

- = a " e , m> n (Second law)

(ii)

i i ) (a"y" =d"" = (a")" (Third law)

(iv) (ab) =a" b" (Fourth law

(v) a" (Fifth law)

( B
These laws also hold good for negative integral exponents. Let us discuss the proof of one
of these laws for negative integral exponents. Other laws can be proved on the same lines.
 Mathematics for Class VIll
2.10

rational number and mny n are integers, then

FIRST LAW Ifa is a non-zero

a"a"=a*n

studied in class VII. So, let us discuss

Proof: For positive integral exponents, we have
the following cases:
CASE I When m and n are negative integers:
there exist positive integers p and q such
Since m and n a r e negative integers. Therefore,
t h a tm = - p and n = -

a"xa" =a*Pxa
for positive integer k |
aP a?
1x1
(Using multiplication of rational numbers]
aPxa'
1 first law of exponents for whole numbers]
TUsing

ap+q)

=ap-)

a " t n

CASE II When m is a postive integer and n is a negative integer.

Since n is a n e g a t i v e i n t e g e r . Therefore, t h e r e e x i s t s a positive i n t e g e r p such that n = - p.

a" xa" = a xa"P

*a"=17
ax
a

a-P, if m>p Using second law of exponents

i f m<p for whole numbers
a

a-P i f m>p
laP-m, if m<p
=ap

=a+-p) m+n :n=-pl

When n is a negative integer andn is a positive integer, we proceed as in case II.
+n
Hence, a" a" =a"x for all integers m, n.
SECOND LAW Ifa is a non-zero rational number and m, n are integers, then

a a = a"" or,

Proceed as in first law.

Proof
Powers 2.1
THIRD LAW Ifa is a non-zero rational number and m, n are integers, then
(ay=an =(a"y"
Proof Proceed as in first law.
FOURTH LAW Ifa, b are non-zero rational numbers and n is an integer, then
(ab=a" b
Proof: Proceed as in first law.
FIFTH LAW fa, b are non-zero rational numbers and n is an integer, then

Proof: Proceed as in first law.

SIXTH LAWifa, b are non-zero rational numbers and n is a positive integer, then

Proof: We have,

Let us now solve some examples by using the above laws of exponents.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example 1 Using the laws of exponents, simplify each of the following and express in
exponential form:

()36

i) 3 x3 (ii) 2 +23 (i) (53 iv) 2x-7)" (v) 4-5

Solution Using laws of exponents, we have
) 3 x3 =37- =35 :a xa" =a"m*"]
Gi) 27+23-=27-
a m-n
= 273 = 22

(ii) (5)=52x-3 =56 :(am=a

Civ) 23 x(-73 = (2x(-7) :a xb=(ab*|
=(-14)
5
 Mathematics for Class VIlI
2.12
and express each of the following in
Example 2 Using the laws of exponents simplify
exponential form with positive exponent:
(i)(-4)x(-4)-10 (ii) 2522 (iii) 3 x2

(iv) (v) (3- +3-10)x35 (vi) -3*«3

Solution (i) We have,
.axa" =a"
4)x(-4)-10 =(4)4-10)
= (-4)

1 11
(-4)6 a
16
(-46
19-1]
.aa"

(ii) We have,

25+222-25-2
2-5 a- a
rro2o 2wsi

-2- avITAT

iii) We have,
3 x2= (3x2)4 :a xb"=(ab"
=6

64 a
14
64 :1-1]

(iv) We have,

(9---e"-0
Powers
2.13

(v) We have,

(37 +310) x3r5 = 37 x3-5=3-7-(-10)x35

=30 x3=3 x3 =33-t-5) =32

(vi) We have,

c-a-1xa :-3=-1x3]
n

(ab =a"8 and

:--1
= (1x3) 5

3
=
3 x=344
34 x5 =
8° x5=1x5 =
5
Example 3 Simplify and write the answer in the exponential form:

(ii) -4 x(6)* x(-5)3 Ciii)x3

Solution (i) We have,

(e2x2r
25
x2(2x2=(2x2=23*5 xg
215 x2-5 = 2-15-5 =2-20
(ii) We have,

(-4) x5x(-5)%

={-4x5x(-5)} a" xbxc" =(abc)"|

=(100) =(10=102x3 =10
(iii) We have,

x3-x3* =2%x3 =
(2x3)3= 6
8

Example 4 Simplify each of the following:

(i)
 Mathematics for Class VI|
2.14

Solution (i) We have,

2x-1

(a)=an

- 2 ) x (-2)

625
(ii) We have,

= 9-8)+16=1+16 =16
Example 5 Simplify:

Solution i) We have,

= 5-1-4-5) x8-5-(-7)

2 64
5-75 x857=5*x8 25
(ii) We have,

4--2,4359
353
32
91259x1251125
(-24 4 64 4x64 256
(iii) We have,

)
34x33 3x33 3
23 x2 23x2 28-3
 2.15
Powers

(iv) We have,

3 7
7-2 (2x 3)
3-2
7 (ab" =a" b"
3 73 1

=
323 x7-32 x23

-3x7 x23xx8-
Example 6 Evaluate: x5
2

Solution We have,

8x53 (23x5 93-1 x53 2x5- 23+4 x5

2 2 2 2
2 x5=2x125 =250

Example 7 Simplify:
25xa i ) 3x106 x125
5 3 x10xa 8 57 x65
Solution (i) We have,
25xat 5 xa 5 xa
63 x10xa 5 x (2x5)xas 5-3-1 x 2xa3
5 xa552--2) x a4+8 54 xa
=
5 x2xa3 2 2
ii) We have,
35 x10 x 125 3x (2x5) x5
5-7 x6-5 5 x(2x3)

3 x25x5 x 53
5 x25 x3-5
8-)x25--5) x5-5+3-(-7)
=
3 x2 x5-5+3+7 =1x1x55 =55
2.16 that the product may
be equal
so
should (-4) be multiplied
Example8 By what number
to 10-2?
10. Then,
Solution Let
(-4)** be multiplied byx to get
ax(-4)=102

x =10+(-4)2

*=10x 4

10-2

-4)-2

4 164
102 100 255

Hence, required number is

Example 9 By what number should (-12)be divided so that the quotient may be ?
Solution Let the required number be x. Then,

(-12)+x
(-12)1
X

=-12)1 +2

21
*-12 3 -18 188
Example 10 By what number should be divided so that the quotient may be
2
42
Solution Let the required number be x. Then,
-2

(
 2.17
Powers

1
-3 27
4

23 X 1
-33 272
42
x x4 2x4--2x
*-27273 27 2727
Example11 Findxsothat
Solution We have,
-0"-6T

- (9 "-
- 9-9
8 x =-16
16
- 2
8
2m-1

Example 12 Find m so that

Solution We have,
(2)Zm-1

2m-1
--
2m-1

-
 2.18 Mathematics for Class Vil|

2m -1= -3
2m=-3+1
2m =-2
m=-1

Example 13 If x = find the value of x2.

Solution We have,

-
-2

EXERCISE 2.2
1. Write each of the following in exponential form:

2. Evaluate:

(i) 5-2 (ii) (-3)2 (iv)

3. Express each of the following as a rational number in the form

i) 6-1 (ii) (-7)1

iv)-42
4. Simplify:
-1

Cii)(2+31) Giv) 31x4"]x5

(v) (4 -5)+3
5. Express each of the following rational numbers with a negative exponent:
4

(i) (ii) 35 (iv)

(v)
Powers
2.19

6. Express each of the following rational numbers with a positive exponent

ii) (iii) 4x4-9 (iv)

(v)

7. Simplify:
3

3 (Gin(-)3
-1

x-4 (iv)
3

1 x6

8. By what number should 5 be multiplied so that the product may be equal to (-7)?

(11
9. By what number should | be multiplied so that the product may be equal to

10. By what number should (-15) be divided so that the quotient may be equal to (-51?
2
11. By what number should be multiplied so that the product may be | ?
12. Findx, if

2r+1

2a+1
- 2+3x
(ii)
o-18- 2x+1 2

(vi
13. (i) If * =
find the value ofx

(is) If *- find the value of :-1,

14. Find the value of x for which 52+53 5. =

 2.20 Mathematics for Class VilI
ANSWERS

1.( (i

1
(iv) -2
2. i)
25 (i) (ii) 81

2
3.) 6 (il).4 Giv) ()3
1 216 6 12
4. ) 144 Gi) 125 Giv) (20
-12 -12
5. ) 4
15 3
3

4 12
6. )
Giv)3
135 1 32
7.6) 19
64 ii) -2 Gv) 256 81
2.5 USE OF EXPONENTs TO EXPRESS SMALL NUMBERS IN STANDARD FORM
In the previous class, we have learnt how to express very large numbers in standard form
by using exponents of 10. Let us now see how can we write very small numbers in standard
form. We may use following steps to do so:
Obtain the number and see whether the number is between 1 and 10 or it is less
StepI
than 1.
If the number is between 1 and 10, then write it as the product of the number itself
StepII and 10,
Step IIl If the number is less than one, then move the decimal point to the right so that
there is just one digit on the left side of the decimal point. Write the given number
as the product of the number so obtained and 10", uwhere n is the number of places
the decimal point has been moved to the right. The number so obtained is the
standard form of the given number.

Following examples will illustrate the above procedure.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example1 Write the following numbers in standard form:
i) 0.4579 (ii) 0.000007 (ii) 0.000000564 (iv) 0.0000021
(v) 216000000 (vi) 0.0000529 x 10* (vii) 9573 x 104
Solution (i) To express 0.4579 in standard form the decimal point is moved through
one place only to the right so that there is just one digit on the left of the
decimal point.
is in the standard form.
0.4579= 4.579 x 10
(ii) 0.000007 7x 10-6 : The decimal point is moved 6 places to the right
 2.21
Powers

moved 7
The decimal point is
places to the right
(ii) 0.000000564=5.64 x 10-7
6
:The decimal point is moved
(iv) 0.0000021 2.1 x 10 places to the right
[::The decimal point is moved18
(v) 216000000 2.16 x 10 places to the left
5.29 105 x 10= 5.29 x 10-54=5.29 x 10
(vi) 0.0000529 x 10 x
104=9.573 x 108+=9.573x 10
(vii)9573x 10=9.573 x 10x
Example 2 Express the following numbers in usual form:
(i) 7.54 x 10 (ii) 3 x 10-5
(i) 3.52 x 10
Solution We have,
(i) 3.52x10 = 3.52x100000 352000

(ii) 7.54x104-".5454
7.540.000754
10 10000
(ii) 3x10-5=3 3
0n0.00003
10 100000
statements in standard form:
Example 3 Express the number appearing in the following
1
) 1 micron is equal to metre.
1000000
0.0000000000000000016 coloumbs.
(ii) Charge of an electron is
(iii) Size of a bacteria is 0.0000005 metre.
metre.
iv) Size of a plant cell is 0.00001275
normal paper is 0.07 mm.
(v) Thickness of a

to metre= 1 0 metre
Solution (i) 1 micron is equal 1000000
0.0000000000000000016 coloumbs = 1.6 x 10-18
(ii) Charge of a n electron is
columbs

iii) Size of a bacteria is 0.0000005 metre

= 5 x 10- metre

(iv) Size of a plant cell is =1.275 x 10-

0.00001275 metre metre

is 0.07 mm 7 x 10 = mm
(v)The thickness of a normal paper
the Earth are 1.4 10 metres and 1.275 x 10
of the Sun and these
x
Example 4 If the diameters
Compare two.
metres respectively.

Solution We have,

Dia.of the Sun

1.4x10* 1.4x10 x10
Dia.of the Earth 1.275x10 1.275x10
1.275-1.3 and 4_
1275X100=x100=100
1.275
1.3
diameter of the Sun is about 100 times the diameter of the Earth.
So, the
2.22
Mathematics for Class VIll
Example5 The size of a red blood cell is 0.000007 m and the size of a plant cell is
0.00001275 m. Compare thses two.
Solution We have,
Size of red blood cell = 0.000007 m 7x10-5 m
Size of plant cell =
0.00001275 = 1.275 x 10-5 m

Size of red blood cell 7x10 7x106+5_7x101

Size of plant cell 1.275x10- 1.275 1.275

0.7 0.7 1
1.275 1.32
So, a red blood cell is approximately half of a plant cell in size.

EXERCISE 2.3
1. Express the following numbers in standard form:
i) 6020000000000000
(ii) 0.00000000000942
(iii) 0.00000000085 (iv) 846 x 10
(v) 3759 x 104
(vi) 0.00072984
(vii) 0.000437 x 104 (viii) 4+100000
2. Write the following numbers in the usual form:
(i) 4.83 x 107 (ii) 3.02x 10-6
(iii) 4.5 x 104 iv) 3 x 10-8
(v) 1.0001 x 10 (vi) 5.8 x102
(vi) 3.61492 x 105 (viii) 3.25 x 10-7

ANSWERS
1. (i) 6.02 x 105 i) 9.42 x 10-12 (ii) 8.5 x 10-10 (iv) 8.46 x 10 (v)3.759 x 10-1
(vi) 7.2984 x 104 (vii) 4.37 (vii) 4 x 10-6
2. i) 48300000 i) 0.00000302 (ii) 45000 iv) 0.00000003 (v) 1000100000
(vi) 580 (vii) 3614920 (vii) 0.000000325

EXERCISE (MCas)
Choose the correct alternative in each of the following:
1. Square of is

(a) 2 (b) 3 (c)

4
3 9 (d) 9

2. Cube o f i s

(b) 16 (c)
(a)8 1
 Powers
2.23

3. Which of the following is not equal to

(a)3
34
(a)
(b(-5 c)

4. Which of the following is not reciprocal of

(d)

5. Which of the following numbers is not equal 27

d)

is equal to

2x-5 2
(c)3 ()3x5
is equal to

- is equal to

(c) (-5

is equal to

4 25
(d)
(a)5 25
10 is equal to
24
2.24 Mathematics for Class VIlI

( is equal to

(c) 1 (d) 5
(a) 0 (b) 5

12. is equal to
2
(a) 3 (b) 23 (c)
2
(d) none of these

13 is equal to

-25
(b)

14. is equal to

10
(b)

15. For any two non-zero rational numbers a and b, at +64 is equal to

(a) (a+b) (b) (a+b)0 (c) (a+6) (d) (a+b

16. For any two rational numbers a and b, a x b° is equal to

(a) (axb (b) (axb)o (c) (axb (d) (ax25

17. For a non-zero rational number a, a' +a2 is equal to
(a) a (b) a19 (c) a5 (d) a19
18. For a non zero rational number a, (as) is equal to
(a) a6 (b) a-6 (c) a-9 (d) al

ANSWERS
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (a) 6. (b) 7. (a)
8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (b 11. ( 12. (b 13. b) 14. (a)
15. (c) 16. (c) 17. (c) 18. (b)
 2.25
Powers

THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. Ifais a non-zero rational number and n is apositive integer, then
() a" = a'xaxax.xa (n times)

ci) a = .

ii) a=1
2. Ifa, b are non-zero rational numbers and m, n are integers, then

( a xa" =am+n
a"

ii) (a = am = (a"y"

o) (ab=a"xb"

3. Ifis any non-zero rational number and n is a positive integer, then