Algebraic rules for indices
When you encounter indices in an algebraic expression, equation or formula, you must obey the following rules (which are often the solution to your problem).

Note that these only work if the quantity p stays the same!
ANY number to the power zero is ALWAYS equal to 1.
If the power is a reciprocal, then use the number under the fraction as a root.
If the index is negative, treat it as positive but take the reciprocal of the result
If the same number is taken to two powers, and the results are then multiplied together, you can just add the powers before you start.
If the same number is taken to two powers, and the first result is divided by the second, then you can just subtract the second power from the first before you start.
If the number is taken two one power, then the result is taken to another, you can just multiply the two indices together an take the number to the power of the result.
If the index is a fraction, the numerator of the fraction is a power and the denominator is a root. It doesn't matter which way round you do the power and the root.

Most recently updated at 16:25 (British time) on 12 August 2004