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REVISION NOTES

IGCSE Edexcel Mathematics A

1.4 Powers and Roots

Powers tell you how many times a number is to be multiplied by itself.

Powers are also called indices.

1.4.1 Identify square numbers and cube numbers

edexcel_igcse_mathematics a_topic 04_powers and roots_001_square vs cube

A square number is a number that is multiplied by itself.

A cube number is a number that is multiplied by istelf and then by itself again.

1.4.2 Calculate squares, square roots, cubes and cube roots

The reverse of raising to a power is taking a root.

2² = 4 

√4 = 2 

∛27 = 3 

1.4.3 Use index notation and index laws for multiplication and division of positive and negative integer powers including zero

  • The powers of a number is the definition of a number getting multiplied by itself again and again
    • 21 means 2
    • 22 means 2 × 2
    • 25 means 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
  • Keep in mind that any number except 0 to the power of 0 is always equal to 1

1.4.4 Express integers as a product of powers of prime factors

  • The root of a number is the opposite of a power of a number
  • A square root of 16 is a number that when squared equals 16

1.4.5 Find highest common factors (HCF) and lowest common multiples (LCM)

Type 1: Highest Common Factor (HCF)

 

What is HCF?

It is the highest common factor that 2 numbers share, for example 88 and 121 share the HCF of 11. 

 

Step 1: Find the factor of A

Step 2: Find the factor of B

Step 3: Find the highest common factor

Type 2: Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)

 

What is LCM?

It is the lowest common multiple of 2 numbers.

 

Step 1: Find the multiple of A

Step 2: Find the multiple of B

Step 3: Find the lowest common multiple

1.4.6 Understand the meaning of surds (Higher Tier Only)

A surd is the square root of a number that is not a square number, for example √8 is not a square number so therefore it has to be broken down into 4 and 2. In which 4 is a square number, therefore √8 becomes 2√2

1.4.7 Manipulate surds, including rationalising a denominator (Higher Tier Only)

1.4.8 Use index laws to simplify and evaluate numerical expressions involving integer, fractional and negative powers (Higher Tier Only)

Back
Next
1. Numbers & the Number System

1.1 Integers

1.2 Fractions

1.3 Decimals

1.4 Powers and Roots

1.5 Set Language and Notation

1.6 Percentages

1.7 Ratio and Proportion

1.8 Degree of Accuracy

1.9 Standard Form

1.10 Applying Numbers

1.11 Electronic Calculator

2. Equations, Formulae & Identities

2.1 Use of Symbols

2.2 Algebraic Manipulation

2.3 Expressions and Formulae

2.4 Linear Equations

2.5 Proportion (Higher Tier Only)

2.6 Simultaneous Linear Equations

2.7 Quadratic Equations

2.8 Inequalities

3. Sequences, Functions & Graphs

3.1 Sequences

3.2 Function Notation (Higher Tier Only)

3.3 Graphs

3.4 Calculus (Higher Tier Only)

4. Geometry

4.1 Angles, Lines & Triangles

4.2 Polygons

4.3 Symmetry

4.4 Measures

4.5 Construction

4.6 Circle Properties

4.7 Geometric Reasoning

4.8 Trigonometry and Pythagoras’ Theorem

4.9 Mensuration of 2D Shapes

4.10 3D Shapes and Volumes

4.11 Similarity

5. Vectors & Transformation Geometry

5.1 Vectors (Higher Tier Only)

5.2 Transformation Geometry

6. Statistics & Probability

6.1 Graphical Representation of Data

6.2 Statistical Measures

6.3 Probability

7. Appendix

7.1 Appendix 1: Foundation Tier Formula Sheet (Given)

7.2 Appendix 2: Foundation Tier Formula Sheet (To Memorise)

7.3 Appendix 3: Higher Tier Formula Sheet (Given)

7.4 Appendix 4: Higher Tier Formula Sheet (To Memorise)

7.5 Appendix 5: Notation

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