Math/CE LQ Ex.

3
Unit 3 Indices, Surds and Number Systems

2006 CE Exam Syllabus

Syllabus Topics Notes (Whole Syllabus) Notes (Foundation Part)

Law of indices Including rational indices. Using law of integral indices to simplify
algebraic expressions up to 2 variables.
Manipulation of surds, including the
rationalization of denominators in the
form of a .

Inter-convert between simple binary /

hexadecimal numbers to decimal
numbers.

1. Laws of Indices

Assume a ≠ 0 and b ≠ 0 .
(a) a m × a n = a m+n (b) a m ÷ a n = a m−n
(a m ) n = a mn a am
(c) (d) ( )m = m
b b
1
(e) a0 = 1 (f) a −m = m
a
1
m , n are
(g) am = m a
integers and m
n
is positive.
(h) a m = (m a ) n = m a n

2. Binary System:
Two digits ( 0, 1 only)
10110102 = 1 × 26 + 0 × 25 + 1 × 24 + 1 × 23 + 0 × 22 + 1 × 2 + 0 = 64 + 16 + 8 + 2 = 9010

2510 ⇒ 2 25 … 1 Remainder
2 12 … 0
2 6 …0
2 3 …1
1
Bottom Up
∴2510 = 110012

1
Math/CE LQ Ex.3
3. Hexadecimal System:
Sixteen digits ( 0, 1, 2, … , 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F)
5E4A16 = 5 × 163 + 15 × 162 + 4 × 16 + 10 = 20480 + 3840 + 64 + 10 = 2439410

675910 16 6759 … 7 Remainder

16 422 … 6
16 26 … 10
1

Bottom Up
∴675910 = 1A6716

Section A

a
1. Simplify , expressing your answer in index form. [CE 90]
a

−3
 x −1 
x 2 
x
2. (a) If 9 = 3 , find x. (b) Simplify and express with positive indices  y 
. [CE 93]
 

3. Simplify 9 3 − 75 . [CE 94]

(a 4 b −2 ) 2
4. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 94]
ab

Exam. report: Fair. Some candidates did not give Exam. Tips: make sure the completion of

answer using positive indices only. simplification

5. Simplify (a + b)2 - (a - b)2. [CE 95]

1
6. Solve without using a calculator: 3 x = . [CE 95]
27
5

a 4 4 a3
7. Simplify . [CE 96]
a −2

8. Simplify 27 − 12 . [CE 97]

x3 y 2
9. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 97]
x −3 y

2
Math/CE LQ Ex.3
a 3a 4
10. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 98]
b −2

(a −3 ) 2
11. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 99]
a

x −3 y
12. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 00]
x2

m3
13. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 01]
(mn) 2

(ab 2 ) 2
14. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 02]
a5

15. Solve the equation 4x+1 = 8. [CE 03]

(a −1b) 3
16. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 04]
b2

( x 3 y) 2
17. Simplify and express your answer with positive indices. [CE 05]
y5

~ End of Unit 3 LQ ~