Lesson 10: Zero and Negative Indices

Year 10 Mathematics Unit 1 — Block B | Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Multiple Choice

Q1. Evaluate 5^0.

A) 0 B) 1 C) 5 D) Undefined

Q2. Evaluate 3^(-2).

A) -9 B) -6 C) 1/9 D) 1/6

Q3. Simplify a^(-3) / a^(-5).

A) a^(-8) B) a^2 C) a^(-2) D) a^15

Q4. Which expression is equal to 1 / x^(-3)?

A) x^(-3) B) x^3 C) -x^3 D) 1/x^3

Q5. If 2^(-n) = 1/16, what is n?

A) 2 B) 4 C) -4 D) 8

Q6. Evaluate 4^(-2) + 4^0. (2 marks)

Q7. Simplify (a^2 x a^(-5)) / a^(-3), giving your answer with a positive index. (3 marks)

Q8. Use the index law a^m / a^n = a^(m-n) to explain why a^0 = 1 for any a ≠ 0. (3 marks)