Quality Transformational Leadership

Expert Quality Education - Problem Solving Series Solution to the problem on exponents : Learn the basics of Exponents and powers (classes 8 and 9 CBSE) Exponents and powers are used for raising a number to the power of another as an equivalent of the number multiplied by itself as many times as the exponent. For example 2 "raised to the power" 2 is written as 2^2 which is 2 x 2.Review the law of exponents or indices which form the basics for handling powers in mathematics. Basic Laws of exponents or indices 1. Product rule :   a m a n = a m+n   (Addition of powers of same base)                              2. Quotient rule :   a m /a n  = a m – n (difference in powers of same base) 3. Power of a power rule : (a m ) n = a mn   (product of powers of same base) 4. Common power rule in product: a m b m = (ab) m 5. Common power rule in quotient :  a m /b m   = ( a/b ) m              6. Reciprocal rule (or negative exponent rule): a –

Expert Quality Learning Foundation Series  Two Approaches to Problem Solving Problem solving is a skill which can be acquired only over a period of time through extensive practice and consistent efforts. There are two approaches to problem solving and it is worthwhile to know more about them here. 1. Top Down Approach : This approach involves breaking up the task into simpler sub-tasks and then solving each one separately, one solution helping to solve the other and so on till the final solution is arrived at. The following steps may be followed: Step-1 : Data Capture:  Read the given problem carefully once or even more than once till you understand the entire problem fully and then gather all the given data. Step-2: Conceptualise: Try to recollect the basic concepts and formulae you may need to apply using the given data keeping the end result in mind. Step-3: Process:  Use the concepts you have identified and the given data and apply them to the relevant formula