Remember index laws

They should label the index/indices/power rule, - "Try simple numbers you know first."

All you have to remember are three of the index laws, because the rest can be worked out using simple numbers.

A positive is multiply    `a^n\=(a)(a) ... ... . (a)`  ..................... Law 1

A negative is divide  `a^-n\=1/a^n`   ............................................... Law 2

A fraction is a root       `a^(1/n)=rootna`  ................................................ Law 3

But the number one rule with indices/powers is:

 Try simple numbers you know first

To help remember these try simple numbers you know first.

`2^2=2\times2=4` 

`2^-2=1/2^2=1/(4)=0.25` 

`2^(1/2)=root2(2)=1.41` 

And use simple numbers you know first for all the others to work out the remaining rules.