Key Stage 3: Power Rule of Indices

In this lesson, students begin by learning how to apply the power rule of indices to simplify and evaluate exponential expressions. Later, as learning progresses, they expand expressions raised to a power and use the multiplication and division rules of indices to tackle more complex problems.

Examiners’ reports highlight that while students often excel at applying individual rules of indices, such as simplifying powers through multiplication or division, they frequently lose marks on more complex problems. Common pitfalls include misapplying the power rule, especially with negative or fractional exponents, and struggling to combine multiple rules within a single question. Expanding expressions with brackets and skipping crucial working steps also contribute to errors. 

In this video I demonstrate how why the power rule works and how to combine it with other other rules of indices to solve multiple step problems.

Power Rule of Indices

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