Numerical Laws of Indices (powers, roots, reciprocal, zero, half) Examples, Differentiated & Exam Qs

All answers are provided

I've designed this lesson to build up students knowledge of evaluating indices. The resource includes activities on Simplifying 2x2x2, Evaluating 2^3, Evaluating index sums 2^3 + 2^4, Power of 0, Reciprocals (Power of -1) and square roots (Power of a half).

It begins with a stopwatch starter where students need to to answer 4 questions based around squaring numbers and roots.

This then leads to discussion slides over what an index number is. Including identification of the base number and the index number. We then look at the difference between simplifying and evaluating.

Simplifying 3 x 3 x 3 x 3
- 2 examples
- 4 Mini Whiteboard Questions

Evaluating 3^2 and 2^2 + 5^2
- 2 examples
- 4 Mini Whiteboard Questions

- Bronze, Silver & Gold Your Turn Section on the above two categories.

Evaluating power of 0
- 2 examples
- 2 Mini Whiteboard Questions

Evaluating power of -1 / reciprocal
- 2 examples
- 3 Mini Whiteboard Questions

Evaluating power of a half
- 2 examples
- 2 Mini Whiteboard Questions

- Bronze, Silver & Gold Your Turn Section on power of -1 and power of a half.

The resource then includes a discussion slide on the pattern of indices. work through powers of 3, 2, 1, 0, -1, -2. This will then be a nice link into harder indices lessons.

The resource then in includes a differentiated focused activity which progressively gets harder. This gives students a chance to master and enhance their skills. It includes 5 separate sections: skills 1, 2 & 3 and a stretch 1 & 2. These are all displayed on the same slide for ease of use, however could be printed as a worksheet.

Then to finish there is an application on how this could be seen in an exam situation with several exam style questions including answers.

I hope you find this resource as useful as my students have. Any of the the slides could be printed as worksheets if you feel that would be easier for your class.

Miss B