EXPONENTS 11

11.0 Introduction
The population of India according to 2011 census is about 120,00,00,000
The approximate distance between the sun and the earth is 15,00,00,000 km.
The speed of the light in vacuum is about 30,00,00,000 m/sec. Light travell a distance
of 30,00,00,000 mts., approximately in 1 sec.,
The population of Andhra Pradesh according to 2011 census is about 8,50,00,000.
These are all very large numbers. Do you find it easy to read, write and understand such large
numbers? No, certainly not.
Thus, we need a way in which we can represent such larger numbers in a simpler manner. Expo-
nents help us in doing so. In this chapter you will learn more about exponents and the laws of
exponents.
11.1 Exponential Form
Let us consider the following repeated additions:
4+4+4+4+4
5+5+5+5+5+5
7+7+7+7+7+7+7+7
We use multiplication to shorten the representation of repeated additions by writing 5×4, 6×5 and
8×7 respectively.
Now can we express repeated multiplication of a number by itself in a simpler way?
Let us consider the following illustrations.
The population of Bihar as per the 2011 Census is about 10,00,00,000.
Here 10 is multiplied by itself for 8 times i.e. 10×10×10×10×10×10×10×10.
So we can write the population of Bihar as 108. Here 10 is called the base and 8 is called the
exponent. 108 is said to be in exponential form and it is read as 10 raised to the power of 8.
The speed of light in vacuum is 30,00,00,000 m/sec. This is expressed as 3×108 m/sec in
exponential form. In 3×108, 108 is read as ‘10 raised to the power of 8’. 10 is the base and 8 is
the exponent.

EXPONENTS 211
.

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 217 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 The approximate distance between the sun and the earth is 15,00,00,000 km. This is expressed as
15×107 km in exponential form. In 107, 10 is the base and 7 is the exponent.
The population of Andhra Pradesh according to 2011 census is about 8,50,00,000. This is
expressed as 85×106 in exponential form. 106 is read as ‘10 raised to the power of 6’. Here 10
is the base and 6 is the exponent.

We can also use exponents in writing the expanded form of a given number for example the
expanded form of 36584 = (3×10000) + (6×1000) + (5×100) + (8×10) + (4×1)
= (3×104) + (6×103) + (5×102) + (8×101) + (4×1)

Do This
1. Write the following in exponential form. (values are rounded off)
(i) Total surface area of the Earth is 510,000,000 square kilometers.
(ii) Population of Rajasthan is approximately 7,00,00,000
(iii) The approximate age of the Earth is 4550 million years.
(iv) 1000 km in meters
2. Express (i) 48951 (ii) 89325 in expanded form using exponents.

11.1.1 Exponents with other bases

So far we have seen numbers whose base is 10. However, the base can be any number.
For example 81 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 34
Here 3 is the base and 4 is the exponent.
Similarly, 125 = 5 × 5 × 5 = 53
Here 5 is the base and 3 is the exponent.

Example 1: Which is greater 34 or 43 ?

34 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81
43 = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64
81 > 64
Therefore, 34 > 43

212 VII CLASS MATHEMATICS

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 218 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 Do This
1. Is 32 equal to 23 ? Justity.
2. Write the following numbers in exponential form. Also state the
(a) base (b)exponent and (c) how it is read.
(i) 32 (ii) 64 (iii) 256 (iv) 243 (v) 49

Squared and cubed

When any base is raised to the power 2 or 3, it has a special name.
10 2 = 10 × 10 and is read as '10 raised to the power 2' or '10 squared'.
Similarly, 42 = 4 × 4 and can be read as '4 raised to the power of 2' or '4 squared'.
10 × 10 × 10 = 103 is read as '10 raised to the power 3' or '10 cubed '.
Similarly, 6 × 6 × 6 = 63 and can be read as '6 raised to the power 3' or '6 cubed'.

In general, we can take any positive number 'a' as the base and write.
a×a = a2 (this is read as 'a raised to the power of 2' or 'a squared')
a×a×a = a3 (this is read as 'a raised to the power of 3' or 'a cubed')
a × a × a × a = a4 (this is read as 'a raised to the power of 4')
___________ = a5 ( ____________________________________ )
___________ = a6 ( _____________________________________ ) and so on.

Thus, we can say that a × a × a × a × a × a ×..................... 'm' times = am where 'a' is the
base and 'm' is the exponent.

Do This
1. Write the expanded form of the following.
(i) p7 (ii) l4 (iii) s9 (iv) d6 (v) z5
2. Write the following in exponential form.
(i) a × a × a × ................. 'l' times
(ii) 5 ×5 ×5 × 5.................... 'n' times
(iii) q × q × q × q × q .................. 15 times
(iv) r × r × r × .................. 'b' times

EXPONENTS 213
.

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 219 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 11.2 Writing a number in exponential form through prime factorization.
Let us express the following numbers in the exponential form using prime factorization.
(i) 432 (ii) 450
Solution (i): 432 = 2 × 216 2 432
= 2 × 2 × 108 2 216
= 2 × 2 × 2 × 54 2 108
= 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 27 2 54

=2×2×2×2×3×9 3 27
3 9
=2×2×2×2×3×3×3
3 3
= (2 × 2 × 2 × 2) × (3 × 3 × 3)
1
= 2 4 × 33
Therefore, 432 = 24 × 33
2 450
(ii) 450 = 2 × 225
3 225
= 2 × 3 × 75
3 75
= 2 × 3 × 3 × 25 5 25
=2×3×3×5×5 5 5
= 2 × 32 × 52 1

Therefore, 450 = 2 × 32 × 52
Do This
Write the following in exponential form using prime factorization.
(i) 2500 (ii) 1296 (iii) 8000 (iv) 6300

Exercise - 1
1. Write the base and the exponent in each case. Also, write the term in the expanded form.
(i) 34 (ii) (7x)2 (iii) (5ab)3 (iv) (4y)5
2. Write the exponential form of each expression.
(i) 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7
(ii) 3 × 3 × 3 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5
(iii) 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 5 × 5 × 5

214 VII CLASS MATHEMATICS

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 220 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 3. Express the following as the product of exponents through prime factorization.
(i) 288 (ii)1250 (iii) 2250 (iv) 3600 (v) 2400

4. Identify the greater number in each of the following pairs.

(i) 23 or 32 (ii) 53 or 35 (iii) 28 or 82

5. If a = 3, b = 2 find the value of (i) ab + ba (ii) aa + bb (iii) (a + b)b (iv) (a–b)a

11.3 Laws of exponents

When we multiply terms with exponents we use some rules to find the product easily. These rules
have been discussed here.

11.3.1 Multiplying terms with the same base

Example 2 : 24 × 23
Solution : 24 × 23 = (2 × 2 × 2 × 2) × (2 ×2 × 2)
4 times 3 times
=2×2×2×2×2×2×2
= 27 and this is same as 24+3 (as 4 + 3 = 7)
Therefore, 24 × 23 = 24+3

Example 3:52 × 53
Solution : 52 × 53 = (5 × 5) × (5× 5 × 5)
2 times 3 times
=5×5×5×5×5
= 55 and this is same as 52+3 (as 2 + 3 = 5)
Therefore, 52 × 53 =52+3
Do This

Find the values of 24, 23 and 27

verify whether 24 × 23 = 27
Find the values of 52, 53 and 55 and verify whether 52 × 53 = 55

EXPONENTS 215
.

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 221 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 Example 4 : a4 × a5

Solution: a4 × a5 = (a × a × a × a) × (a × a × a × a × a)
= (a × a × a × a × a × a × a × a × a)
= a9 and this is same as a4+5 (as 4 + 5 = 9)
Therefore, a4×a5 = a4+5

Based on the above observations we can say that.

am × an = ( a × a × a …………..'m' times) × ( a × a × a × ………'n' times)= am+n

For any non-zero integer 'a', and integers 'm' and 'n'
am × an = am+n

Do This
1. Simplify the following using the formula am × an = am+n
(i) 311 × 39 (ii) p5 × p8
2. Find the appropriate number in place of the symbol '?' in the following.
Let 'k' be any non zero integer
(i) k3 × k4 = k? (ii) k15 × k? = k31

11.3.2 Exponent of exponent

Example 5 : Consider (32)3
Solution : Here ' 32 ' is the base and' 3' is the exponent
(32)3 = 32 × 32 × 32
= 32+2+2 (multplying terms with the same base)
= 36 and this is the same as 32×3 (as 2 × 3 = 6)
Therefore, (32)3 = 32×3

Do This

Compute 32 , cube of 32 and verify whether (32)3 = 36 ?

216 VII CLASS MATHEMATICS

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 222 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 Example 6 : Let us consider (45)3
Solution : (45)3 = 45 × 45 × 45
= 45+5+5 (multplying terms with the same base)
= 415 and this is same as 45×3 (as 5 × 3 = 15)
Therefore, (45)3 = 45 × 3

Example 7: (am)4
Solution : (am)4 = am × am × am × am
= am+m+m+m (multplying terms with the same base)
= a4m and this is same as am×4 (as 4 × m = 4m)
Therefore, (am)4 = am×4

Based on all the above we can say that (am)n = am × am × am...... n times = am+m+m+... n times
= amn
For any non-zero integer 'a' and integers 'm' and 'n'
(am)n = amn

11.3.3 Exponent of a product

Example 8 : Consider 35 × 45
Solution : Here 35 and 45 have the same exponent 5 but different bases.
35 × 45 = (3×3×3×3×3) × (4×4×4×4×4)
= (3×4) × (3×4) × (3×4) × (3×4) × (3×4)
= (3×4)5
Therefore, 35 × 45 = (3 × 4)5
Example 9: Consider 44 × 54
Solution : Here 44 and 54 have the same exponent 4 but have different bases.
44 × 54 = (4 × 4 × 4 × 4) × (5 × 5 × 5 × 5)
= (4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5)
= (4 × 5)× (4 × 5) × (4 × 5) × (4 × 5)
= (4 × 5)4
Therefore, 44 × 54 = (4 × 5)4

EXPONENTS 217
.

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 223 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 Example 10 : Consider p7 × q7
Solution : Here p7 and q7 have the same exponent 7 but different bases.
p 7 × q7 = (p × p × p × p × p × p × p) × (q × q × q × q × q × q × q)
= (p × p × p × p × p × p × p × q × q × q × q × q × q × q)
= (p × q ) × (p × q ) × (p × q ) × (p × q ) × (p × q ) × (p × q ) × (p × q)
= (p × q )7
Therefore, p7 × q7 = (p × q)7

Based on all the above we can conclude that am × bm = (a × b)m = (ab)m

For any two non-zero integers 'a', 'b' and any positive integer 'm'
am × bm = (ab)m

Do This
Simplify the following using the law am × bm = (a b)m
(i) (2 × 3)4(ii) xp × yp (iii) a8 × b8 (iv) (5×4)11

11.3.4 Division of exponents

Before discussing division of exponents we will now discuss about negative exponents.
11.3.4(a) Negative exponents
Observe the following pattern.
25 = 32 35 = 243
24 = 16 34 = 81
23 = 8 33 = 27
22 = 4 32 = 9
21 = 2 31 = 3
20 = 1 30 = 1
2-1 = 3-1 =
(Hint: half of 1) (Hint: one-third of 1)
2-2 = 3-2 =

218 VII CLASS MATHEMATICS

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 224 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 What part of 32 is 16?
What is the difference between 25 and 24?
You will find that each time the exponent decreases by 1,the value becomes half of the previous.
From the above patterns we can say.

1 1
2–1 = and 2–2 = and
2 4

1 1
3–1 = and 3–2 =
3 9

1 1
Furthermore, we can see that 2–2 = = 2
4 2

1 1 1
similarly, 3–1 = and 3–2 = = 2
3 9 3
For any non -zero integer 'a' and any integer 'n'
1
a n
!
an

Do This
1
1. Write the following, by using a
n
! , with positive exponants.
an
(i) x–7 (ii) a–5 (iii) 7–5 (iv) 9–6

11.3.4(b) Zero exponents

In the earlier discussion we have seen that
20 = 1
30 = 1
Similarly we can say
40 = 1
50 = 1 and so on
Thus for non zero integer ‘a’
a0 = 1

EXPONENTS 219
.

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 225 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 11.3.4(c) Division of exponents having the same base

77
Example 11 : Consider 3
7

77 7 " 7 " 7 " 7 " 7 " 7 " 7

Solution : ! ! 7"7" 7"7
73 7"7"7
= 74 which is same as 77–3 (as 7 – 3 = 4)

77
Therefore, 3
! 77 3

38
Example 12: Consider
33

38 3"3"3"3"3" 3" 3" 3

Solution : ! !3"3"3"3"3
33 3" 3" 3
= 35 which is same as 38–3 (as 8 – 3 = 5)

38
Therefore, ! 38 3

33

55
Example 13: Consider
58

55 5"5"5"5"5 1 1
Solution : ! ! = 3
5 5" 5" 5" 5 " 5 " 5 " 5 " 5
8
5" 5" 5 5

1 1
3 which is same as 8 5 (as 8 – 5 = 3)
5 5

55 1
Therefore, 8 ! 8 5
5 5

a2
Example 14: Consider 7
a

a2 a# " a# 1
Solution : ! !
a a " a " a " a " a " a# " a# a " a " a " a " a
7

1 1
! 5 which is the same as (as 7 – 2 = 5)
a a7 2

220 VII CLASS MATHEMATICS

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 226 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 a2 1
Therefore, 7 =
a a7 2
Based on all the above examples we can say that-

am am 1
! am n
if m > n and ! n m if m<n
an a n
a
For 'd' a non-zero integer ‘a’ and integers 'm' and 'n'

am am 1
n
! am n
if m > n and n
! n m if n > m
a a a

What happens when m = n? Give your answer.

43
Example 15 : Consider
43

43 4"4"4 1
Solution : ! ! ! 1 . . . . . (1)
4 3
4"4"4 1

am
Also we know that n ! a
m n

43
$ 3
! 43 3 ! 40 !1 from (1)
4

74
Similarly find 4 = ?
7
What do you observe from above?

a4 a " a " a " a

Also consider ! !1
a4 a " a " a " a

am
But from ! am n

an

a4
We have ! a4 4
! a 0 !1
a4
For any non zero number ‘a’ we have a0 = 1.
Observe here m, n (m = n)

am
Thus if m = n !1
an
EXPONENTS 221
.

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 227 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 Do This
1
1. Simplify and write in the form of am-n or n m .
a

138 34
(i) (ii)
135 314

2. Fill the appropriate number in the box.

88
Ex : ! 88 3
! 85
83

1212 a18 10
(i) ! 12 ! 12 (ii) !a !a
127 a

11.3.4(c) Dividing terms with the same exponents

5
%7&
Example 16: Consider ' (
)4*

5
%7& 7 7 7 7 7
Solution : ' ( ! " " " "
)4* 4 4 4 4 4

7"7"7"7"7
!
4" 4" 4" 4" 4

75
! (by the definition of exponent)
45
5
%7& 75
Therefore, ' ( ! 5
)4* 4

6
% p &
Example 17: Consider ' (
) q *

6
% p& % p& % p& % p& % p& % p& % p&
Solution : ' ( ! ' ("' ("' ("' ("' ("' (
)q* )q* )q* )q* )q* )q* )q*

p" p" p" p" p" p

!
q"q"q"q"q"q

222 VII CLASS MATHEMATICS

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 228 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 p6
! (By the definition of exponent)
q6

6
% p& p6
Therefore, ' ( !
)q* q6

Based on the above observations we can say that.

%a&
m
a " a " a " a " ................ " a ' m ' times am
' ( ! !
)b* b " b " b " b " ................ " b ' m ' times bm

m
%a& am
For any non-zero integers a, b and integer 'm' ' ( ! m
)b* b

Do This
1. Complete the following

3
%5& 53 %3& 35
!
(i) ' (
)7*
(ii) ' ( ! 5
)2* 2

11
% x&
4
%8&
(iii) ') 3 (* ! (iv) ' ( ! 11
) y* y

11.3.5 Terms with negative base

Example 18 : Evaluate (1)4 , (1)5 ,(1)7, (–1)2 , (–1)3 , (–1)4 , (–1)5
Solution : (1)4 = 1 × 1 × 1 × 1= 1
(1)5 = 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1= 1
(1)7 = 1 × 1 ×1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 = 1
(–1)2 = (–1) × (–1) = 1
(–1)3 = (–1) × (–1) × (–1) = –1
(–1)4 = (–1) × (–1) × (–1) × (–1) = 1
(–1)5 = (–1) × (–1) × (–1) × (–1) × (–1) = –1

Free distribution by A.P. Government EXPONENTS 223

.

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 229 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 From the above illustrations we observe that:
(i) 1 raised to any power is 1.

(ii) (–1) raised to odd power is (–1) and (–1) raised to even power is (+1).

Thus (–a)m = –am If ‘m’ is odd

(–a)m = am If ‘m’ is even

Now, let us look at some more examples.

(–3)4 = (–3) (–3) (–3) (–3) = 81

(–a)4 = (–a) (–a) (–a) (–a) = a4

1 1 1 1 1
(–a)–3 = " " ! 3! 3
( a) ( a) ( a) a a

27
Example 19 : Express in exponential form
125

Solution : –27 = (–3) (–3) (–3) = (–3)3

125 = 5 × 5 × 5 = (5)3

m
27 ( 3) 3 am % a &
Therefore, ! as m ! ' (
125 (5) 3 b )b*

3
27 % 3 &
Thus, !' (
125 ) 5 *

Do This

1. Write in expanded form.

(i) (a)–5 (ii) (–a)4 (iii) (–7)–5 (iv) (–a)m

2. Write in exponential form

(i) (–3) × (–3) × (–3)(ii) (–b) × (–b) × (–b) × (–b)
1 1 1
(iii) " " ...... 'm' times
( 2) ( 2) ( 2)
224 VII CLASS MATHEMATICS

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 230 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 Exercise 2

1. Simplify the following using laws of exponents.

10 4 2 2 4
57
(i) 2 ×2 (ii) (3 ) × (3 ) (iii)
52
4 3 8
% 3& % 3& % 3&
(iv) 92 × 918 × 910 (v) ' ( "' ( "' ( (vi) (–3)3 × (–3)10 × (–3)7
)5* )5* )5*

(vii) (32)2 (viii) 24 × 34 (ix) 24a × 25a

5
+% 5 & 2 ,
(x) (102)3 (xi) -' ( . (xii) 23a+7 × 27a+3
-/) 6 * .0

5
%2& ( 4)6
(xiii) ' ( (xiv) (–3) × (–5)3 3
(xv)
)3* ( 4)3

97 ( 6)5
(xvi) 15 (xvii) (xiii) (–7)7 × (–7)8
9 ( 6)9

(xix) (–64)4 (xx) ax × ay × az

2. By what number should 3–4 be multiplied so that the product is 729?
3. If 56 × 52x = 510, then find x.
4. Evaluate 20 + 30
a a b
% x a & % xb & % x a &
5. Simplify ' b ( " ' a ( " ' a (
)x * )x * )x *

6. State true or false and justify your answer.

(i) 100×1011 = 1013 (ii) 32 × 43 = 125 (iii)) 50 = (100000)0
(iv) 43 = 82 (v) 23 > 32 (vi) (–2)4 > (–3)4
(vii) (–2)5 > (–3)5

Classroom Project
Collect the annual income particulars of any ten families in your locality and
round it to the nearest thousands / lakhs and express the income of each family in
the exponential form.

EXPONENTS 225
.

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 231 06-09-2012 12:48:38

 11.3.6 Expressing large numbers in standard form
The mass of the Earth is about 5976 x 1021 kg.
The width of the Milky Way Galaxy from one edge to the other edge is about 946 ×1015 km.
These numbers are still not very easy to comprehend. Thus, they are often expressed in standard
form. In standard form the:
Mass of the Earth is about 5.976 × 1024 kg
Width of the Milky Way Galaxy from one edge to the other edge is about 9.46 ×1017 km.
Thus, in standard form (Scientific notation) a number is expressed as the product of
largest integer exponent of 10 and a decimal number between 1 and 10.

Exercise 3
Express the number appearing in the following statements in standard form.
(i) The distance between the Earth and the Moon is approximately 384,000,000m.
(ii) The universe is estimated to be about 12,000,000,000 years old.
(iii) The distance of the sun from the center of the Milky Way Galaxy is estimated to be
300,000,000,000,000,000,000 m.
(iv) The earth has approximately 1,353,000,000 cubic km of sea water.

Looking Back
• Very large numbers are easier to read, write and understand when expressed in
exponential form.
• 10,000 = 104 (10 raised to the power of 4); 243 = 35 (3 raised to the power of 5);
64 = 26 (2 raised to the power of 6). In these examples 10, 3, 2 are the respective
bases and 4, 5, 6 are the respective exponents.
• Laws of Exponents: For any non-zero integers 'a' and 'b' and integers 'm' and 'n'
(i) am × an = am+n (ii) (am)n=amn (iii) am × bm = (ab)m

1 am
(iv) a n
! (v) ! am n
if m > n
an an
m
am 1 am % a &
(vi) ! n m if n > m (vii) !' (
b n
a bm ) b *

(viii) a0 = 1 (where a ≠ 0)

226 VII CLASS MATHEMATICS

7th Maths EM Final 6.9.12.pdf 232 06-09-2012 12:48:38