Mathematics

CHAPTER
2 Surds & Indices
2.1 Radicals
A radical expression (or simply a radical) is an expression of the type n
x . The sign ' n ' is called the radical
sign. The number under this sign, i.e., 'x' is called the radicand and the number in the angular part of the sign,
i.e., 'n' is the order of the radical. At present, we shall deal only with cases where x is a real number. Depending
on the values of x, n can have certain corresponding values. Initially we shall consider only positive integral values
of n. But remember that 1/n
n
x = x . We have the following results for radicals.
If x > 0, n can have real value except zero.
If x = 0, n can have any positive real value.
If x < 0, n can have any real value. But we shall consider only rational values.
0 1
2, 3
3, 4
7, 2
8 , are some radicals. 0, 3
0 are also radicals. 0 and 0 are undefined. 3
2,
5 7
64 , 128 are also radicals. 2 4 , 4 16 are also radicals, but because they are not real numbers,
we shall study them only in higher classes. In all these examples, the value of n, i.e., the order of the radical
is a positive integer. But as stated above, it can have other values.

2.2 Description of surds

If a is a positive rational number, which is not the nth power (n is any natural number) of any rational number,
then the irrational number ± n a are called simple surds or monomial surds. Every surd is an irrational number
(but every irrational number is not a surd). So, the representation of monomial surd on a number line is same
that of irrational numbers. Eg.
(a) 3 is a surd and 3 is an irrational number..

(b) 3
5 is surd and 3
5 is an irrational number..
(c) is an irrational number, but it is not a surd.

(d) 3
3 2 is an irrational number. It is not a surd, because 3 2 is not a rational number..

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.1
Which of the following are surds?
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(i) 9 (ii) 3
13 (iii) 4
25 (iv) 6
32
Solution
(i) 9 = 3 is not a surd. (ii) 3
13 is a surd.
(iii) 4
25 is a surd. (iv) 6
32 is a surd.

2.3 Types of surds

Unit surds and multiples of surds
If n
a is a surd, it is also referred to as a unit surd. If k is a rational number, k n a is a multiple of a surd.
d.

All multiples of surds can be expressed as unit surds as k n a = n

k n .a .

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Class IX
Mixed surds
If a is a rational number (not equal to 0) and n
b is a surd, then a + n
b, a – n
b are called mixed surds.
If a = 0, they are called pure surds. Eg. 2 + 3, 5 – 3
6 are mixed surds, while 3, 3
6 are pure surds.
Compound surd
A surd which is the sum or difference of two or more surds is called a compound surd. E.g.
5
2 + 3
3, 3 + 7 – 3
2 and 1 + 2 – 3 are compound surds.
Binomial surd
A compound surd consisting of two is called a binomial surd. E.g.
3
3 + 3 5, 6 + 4 5, 8 – 7
Similar surds
If two surds are different multiples of the same surd, they are called similar surds. Otherwise they are dissimilar
surds. E.g.

2 2 , 5 2, 7 2 are similar surds. ( 2 + 3 3 ), ( 2 2 + 6 3 ) are similar surds and

1 + 2 , 2 + 2 2 are similar surds. 3 3 and 6 5 are dissimilar surds.

Equality of two mixed surds of the form a + c b and d + e b .

Two mixed surds a + c b and d + e b are equal if and only if their respective rational parts and the
irrational parts are equal, i.e., a = d and c = e.

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.2
Identify the following types of surds:

(i) 6 + 5 3 (ii) 15 + 8 + 11 (iii) 5 (iv) 5 + 7

Solution
(i) 6 + 5 3 . It is the sum of two surds.
It is a compound surd of two surds, i.e., a binomial surd.
(ii) 15 + 8 + 11 . It is the sum of the two surds.
It is a compound surd.
(iii) 5 . It is a monomial surd or a simple surd.
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(iv) 5 + 7 . It is the sum of a rational number and a surd.

It is a mixed surd.

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.3
Which of the following surds are similar?
(i) 2 5 (ii) 3 3 5 (iii) 4 5 (iv) 5 4
5
Solution
2 5 and 4 5 are multiples of the same surd, 5.
They are similar.

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2.4 Laws of radicals

If a > 0, b > 0 and n is a positive rational number, then

(a) ( n a )( n b ) = n
ab

n
a a
(b) = n
n
b b

(c) m n nm
a = mn
a = a .

Laws of radicals are used to

(i) convert the multiple of a surd into a unit surd.
(ii) convert certain unit surds into multiples of other unit surds.
(iii) express surds of different orders as surds of the same order.

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.4
Express the following surds in their simplest form as multiples of smaller surds:

(i) 3
1458 (ii) 3
144 (iii) 4
1024

Solution
3
(i) 3
1458 =
3
2(93 ) = 9 2

3
(ii) 3
144 =
3
24 (32 ) = 3
23 (2)(32 ) = 2 18

(iii) 4
1024 = 4
210 =
4
(28 )(22 ) = 4
28
4
22 = 4 2

Order of surd
3
In the surd n
a , n is called the order of the surd. Thus the order of 2, 3, 4
5 are 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

The orders of the radicals 6

4
9, 6
16 , 27 are 4, 6 and 6 respectively. We note that 4
9 = 4
32 =
32/4 = 3 is 2. Thus the order of a surd is not a property of the surd itself, but of the way in which it
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is expressed.
Comparison of monomial surds
If two simple surds are of the same order, then they can easily be compared. If a < b, n
a < n
b for all positivee

integral values of n. E.g. 4

4
2 < 7, 3
3 < 3
5, 5
10 < 5
13 etc.
If two simple surds of different orders have to be compared, they have to be expressed as radicals of the same
order.

Thus to compare 4
6 and 3
5 , we express both as the radicals of 12th (LCM of 3, 4) order..

4
6 = 12
63 and
3
5 = 12
54

As 6 3 < 5 4 , 4
6 < 3
5

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Class IX

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.5
Arrange the following in ascending or descending order of magnitude.
3
4
6, 7, 5
Solution
4 3
6 = 61/4 , 7 = 71/3 , 5 = 51/2 LCM of the denominators of the exponents of the three terms, 4, 3
and 2 is 12.
Now express the exponent of each term, as a fraction in which the denominator is 12.
6 1/4 = 6 3/1 2 = (6 3 ) 1/1 2 = 12
216
7 1/3 = 7 4/1 2 = (7 4 ) 1/1 2 = 12
2401
5 1/2 = 5 6/1 2 = (5 6 ) 1/1 2 = 12
15625

Now 3
4
6 = 12
216 , 7 = 12
2401 , 5 = 12
15625
Hence their ascending order is
3
12
216 , 12
2401 , 12
15625 , i.e., 4
6, 7, 5

The descending order of magnitude of the given radicals is 3

5, 7, 4
6.

2.5 Operations of surds

Addition and subtraction of surds
Addition and subtraction of similar surds can be done using the distributive law, a c b c = (a ± b) c .

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.6
Simplify the following by combining similar surds.
(i) 2 5 5 5
(ii) 3 6 216
(iii) 2 3 5 12 3 48
Solution
(i) 2 5 5 5 (2 5) 5 7 5

(ii) 3 6 216 3 6 62 (6) 3 6 6 6 9 6

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(iii) 2 3 5 12 3 48

= 2 3 5 22 (3) 3 42 (3)

= 2 3 5(2) 3 3(4) 3

= (2 10 12) 3 4 3

Multiplication and division of surds

Surds of the same order can be multiplied according to the law, ( n x )( n y ) n xy
When the surds to be multiplied or divided are not of the same order, they have to be necessarily brought
to the same order before the operation is performed.

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1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.7
Simplify the following
(i) 15 35 , (ii) 2 3 3 27 .

(iii) Multiply 3
3 by 4
2. (iv) Divide 6
5 by 3
10
Solution
(i) ( 15)( 35) (15)(35) = (5)(3)(5)(7) 5 21

2 3 2 3 2 3 2
(ii) 2 3 3 27 = (3)(3) 3 9
3 27 (3) 32 (3)
1/4
(iii) 3
3 31 / 3 and 4 2 = 2
The LCM of 3 and 4 is 12
3 1/3 = 3 4/12 = 12
34 , 2
1/4 = 2 3/12 = 12
23

( 3 3)( 4 2 ) (
12
34 )(
12
23 ) = 12
(34 )(23 ) = 12 (81)(8) = 12
648
(iv) 6
5 51 / 6 and 3 10 101 / 3
LCM of 3 and 6 is 6
6
3
10 101 / 3 102 / 6 102 6
100
6 6
5 5 5 1
= 6 6
3 6
10 100 100 20

2.6 Rationalizing factor (RF)

If the product of two surds is a rational number, then each of the two is a RF of the other.
RF is not unique.
If one RF of a surd is known, then the product of this factor and any non-zero rational number is also the
RF of the given surd.
It is convenient to use the simplest of all RF's of the given surd to convert it to a rational number.
E.g. (a) (3 3)( 3) (3)(3) 9 , a rational number

3 is a RF of 3 3
(b) ( 3 2)( 3 2) ( 3)2 ( 2)2 3 2 1 , a rational number

3 2 is a RF of 3 2 and 3 2 is a RF of 3 2

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.8
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Find the simplest RF of

(i) 4
216 (ii) 5
16
Solution
(i) 4
216 4
(23 )(33 ) 23 / 4 33 / 4

So RF = 21 / 4 31 / 4 (2 3)1 / 4 61/ 4 4
6
4
6 is the simplest RF of 4
216 .
5
(ii) 5
16 2 4 24 / 5
RF is 2 1/5 (2 4/5 )(2 1/5 )=2 5/5 = 1
5
5
2 is the simplest RF of 16 .

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Class IX
n
a is a RF of n
an 1 and vice-versa.

n
a m is a RF of
n and vice-versa.
an m

a b is a RF of a b and vice-versa.
2/3 – a 1/3 .b 1/3 +b 2/3 and vice-versa.
3
a 3
b is a RF of a
2/3 + a 1/3 .b 1/3 + b 2/3 and vice-versa.
3
a 3
b is a RF of a

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.9
Express the following surds with rational denominators:

2 23 3
(i) (ii) 3
14 25

Solution

2 14 2 14 14 23 3 23 3 3
5 23 3 5 23 15
(i) × = = (ii) 3 = 3 × 3 = 3 =
14 14 14 7 25 25 5 53 5

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.10
3
Given that 2 = 1.414, find the value of upto three decimal places.
2
Solution
3 3 2 3 2
= × = = 1.5 2 = 1.5 (1.414) = 2.121
2 2 2 2

2.7 Rationalization of mixed surds

a b is the rationalizing factor of a b , where a and b are rational.

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.11
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2 5
Rationalize the denominator of .
2 5
Solution

2 5 2 5 2 5
=
2 5 2 5 2 5

2
2 5 4 4 5 5 9 4 5
= = = = –(9 + 4 5 )
(2) 2
( 5) 2 4 5 1

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1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.12
Given 2 = 1.414, 3 = 1.732, 5 = 2.236, 6 = 2.449, 10 = 3.162
2 1
Find the value of upto three decimal places.
3 5
Solution
We have to rationalize the denominator
The RF of 3 5 is 3 5.

2 1 2 1 3 5
=
3 5 3 5 3 5

6 3 10 5 10 6 3 5 3.162 2.499 1.372 2.236

= 2 2 = = = –0.822
( 3) ( 5) 3 5 2

Conjugate of the surd of the form ( a b)

When two binomial quadratic surds differ only in sign which connect their terms, they are said to be conjugate.
Two binomial quadratic surds a b and a b , are called conjugate surds. The product of conjugate
surds is rational.

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.13
Write the conjugate of
(i) 3 5 (ii) 5 + 3 7
Solution
(i) 3 5 is the conjugate of 3 5 and 3 5 is also the conjugate of 3 5.
(ii) 5 – 3 7 is the conjugate of 5 + 3 7 .

The following formulae are helpful in finding the rationalizing factors of mixed quadratic and cubic surds.
(i) (a + b) (a – b) = a 2 – b 2
(ii) (a + b) (a 2 – ab +b 2 ) = a 3 + b 3
(iii) (a – b) (a 2 + ab + b 2 ) = a 3 – b 3

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.14
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Find the RF
(i) 2 1/3 + 2 –1/3 . (ii) 5 1/3 – 5 –1/3 .

Solution
(i) 2 1/3 + 2 –1 /3
Let a = 2 1/3 and b = 2 –1/3
1
a 3 = (2 1/3 ) 3 = 2 , b 3 = (2 –1/3 ) 3 = 2 –1 =
2
But a 3 + b 3 = (a + b) (a 2 – ab + b 2 )
a 2 – ab + b 2 = (2 1/3 ) 2 – (2 1/3 .2 –1/3 ) + (2 –1/3 ) 2 = 2 2/3 – 1 + 2 –2/3
RF of 2 1/3 + 2 –1/3 is 2 2/3 – 1 + 2 –2/3
(ii) 5 1/3 – 5 –1 /3
(a 3 – b 3 ) = (a – b)(a 2 + ab + b 2 )
RF of 5 1/3 – 5 –1/3 is [5 1/3 ] 2 + [5 1/3 .5 –1/3 ] + [5 –1/3 ] 2 = 5 2/3 + 1 + 5 –2/3

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Class IX
Comparison of compound surds

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.15
Between 7 3 and 11 7 , which is greater?
Solution
By rationalizing,

7 3 7 3 4
7 3 = =
7 3
7 3

11 7 11 7 4
11 7 = =
11 7
11 7
The numerator of each of the irrational number is 4.
But 11 7 > 7 3

4 4
> , 7 3 > 11 7
7 3 11 7

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.16
Compare the surds A = 8 7 and B = 10 5.
Solution
Since there is a positive sign, square both the surds, we get,
2
A2 = 8 7 = 8 + 7 + 2 56 = 15 + 2 56

2
B2 = 10 5 = 10 + 5 + 2 50 = 15 + 2 50

As = 56 > 50, 15 + 2 56 > 15 + 2 50 A > B

i.e., 8 7 > 10 5

Rationalizing the numerator

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.17
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2 3 x
Rationalize the numerator of .
x 1
Solution
Rationalizing factor of 2 3 x is 2 3 x

2 3 x 2 3 x 2 3 x
= x 1
x 1 2 3 x

(2)2 ( 3 x )2 4 (3 x) 1 x 1
= = =
(x 1)(2 3 x) (x 1)(2 3 x) (x 1)(2 3 x) 2 3 x

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1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.18
1
Express E = with a rational denominator..
5 3 8
Solution
The denominator is a trinomial surd, an expression having all the three as surds. We group any two of the three
terms, say 5 and 3.

Thus 5 + 3 – 8 = ( 5 3) 8.
Consider the product
2 2
5 3 8 5 3 8 = 5 3 – 8

= 5 + 3 + 2 5 3 – 8 = 2 15

1 5 3 8 5 3 8
= 5 3 8 5 3 8 = .
5 3 8 2 15
Rationalizing the denominator

5 3 8 15 5 3 3 5 2 30
E = =
2 15 15 30

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.19
If both a and b are rational numbers, find the value of a and b in each of the following.

3 5 3 2 3
(i) = a + b 5 (ii) = a + b 3
3 5 5 2 3
Solution
(i) 3 + 5 is the rationalizing factor of 3 – 5.
2
3 5
3 5 3 5 3 5
= × = 2
3 5 3 5 3 5 (3)2 5
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9 5 6 5 14 6 5 14 6 7 3
= = = 5 = 5 = a + b 5
9 5 4 4 4 2 2

7 3
a = and b =
2 2

(ii) 5 + 2 3 is the RF of 5 – 2 3 .

3 2 3 3 2 3 5 2 3 15 10 3 12 6 3
= × =
5 2 3 5 2 3 5 2 3 (5)2 (2 3)2

27 16 3 27 16 3 27 16
= = = a + b 3 a = and b = .
25 12 13 13 13

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Class IX

2.8 Square root of a quadric surd

Consider the real number a + b , where a and b rational numbers and b is a surd. Equate the square root

of a + b to x y , where x and y are rational numbers, i.e.

a b x y

Squaring both sides, a + b = x + y + 2 xy

Equating the rational numbers on the two sides of the above equation we get a = x + y ...........(1)
and equating the irrational numbers, we get

b = 2 xy .............. (2)
By solving (1) and (2) we get the values of x and y.
Similarly, a b = x y

2.9 Square root of a trinomial quadratic surd

Consider the real number a + b + c + d , where a is a rational number and b , c and d are surds.

a b c d = x+ y + z
By squaring both sides, and comparing rational and irrational parts on either sides, we get,
x + y + z = a

1 bd 1 bc 1 cd
x = , and z =
2 c 2 d 2 b

1.1
NUMERICAL CHALLENGE 2.20
Find the square root of
(i) 7 + 4 3 . (ii) 10 + 24 + 60 + 40 .
Solution
(i) Let 7 4 3 = x y
Squaring both the sides,
7 + 4 3 = x + y + 2 xy x + y = 7 and 2 xy = 4 3 xy = 12
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By solving, we get x = 4 and y = 3

x y = 4 3 = 2 + 3

(ii) Let the given expression be equal to a + x + y + z .

As per the method discussed, a = 10, b = 24, c = 60 and d= 40

1 bd 1 24 40 1 bc 1 24 60
x = = = 2 , y = = = 3
2 c 2 60 2 d 2 40

1 cd 1 60 40
z = = = 5
2 d 2 24

x + y + z = 2 + 3+ 5

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Alternative method
= 10 24 60 40

= 10 2 6 2 15 2 10

= (2 3 5) 2 2(3) 2 3(5) 2 2(5)

2
= 2 3 5

2= 3 5
Other important results

4b2 K
5
a K b = b+ b
5

b c
3
a b c = c
3

x2 K x2 K
a b + a b = 2a,

a2 – b = 1 x = K 1

Some us efu l F orm ulae

(i) a m × a n = a m+n
(ii) a m ÷ a n = a m– n
(iii) (a m ) n = (a n ) m = a mn
m m
a n b n
(iv)
b a

(v) a m ÷ b –n = a m × b n
(vi) ( n a )n = a, where 'n' is a positive integer and 'a' a positive rational number

(vii) n
anb n
ab , where 'n' is a positive integer and 'a', 'b' are rational numbers.

n
a a
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n
(viii) , where 'n' is a positive integer and 'a', 'b' are rational numbers.
n
b b

(ix) m n
a mn
a n m
a , where 'm', 'n' are positive integers and 'a' is a positive rational number

(x) n m
(a k )m n
ak mn
a km , where 'm', 'n' are 'k' are positive integers and 'a' is a positive rational number

(xi) a a a
(xii) a b ab

(xiii) ( a b )2 a b 2 ab

(xiv) ( a – b)2 a b – 2 ab

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Class IX

(xv) a + b c d a = c and b = d.

1 a b a b
(xvi)
a– b ( a – b)( a b) a b

1 a b a b
(xvii)
a b ( a b)( a b) a b
(xviii) If x = n(n+1), then

(a) x – x – x ...... n

(b) x x x ...... (n 1)

Find the value of x

2x–1.42x+1
( )
x x x
(i) x = x x (ii) 2x–2 = 52–x (iii) =64
8x–1
2x–1
1
.(.0081)1/3 2x–5
(iv) 2x+1 . 5 x = 200 (v) 9 1 3 27x–1
=
243 3 10000
Solution
3
x
(i) x x x
= ( x3 2 ) x
x x x
= x 2

3 3 9
x x= x x= x=
2 2 4
1
(ii) 2 x–2 = 5 2–x 2x–2 = x–2
5
x
10
10x–2 = 1 =1
102
10 x = 10 2 x = 2.

2x–1.42x+1
(iii) = 64
8x–1
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2x–1.24x+2
(Base has been made equal to 2)
23x–3
2 x–1 + 4x + 2 – 3 x + 3 = 26
2 x–1 + 4x + 2 – 3 x + 3 = 26
2 2x + 4 = 26
2x + 4 = 6
x = 1
(iv) 2x+1 . 5 x = 200 2.2x . 5x = 200
(2.5) x = 100 10 x = 10 2
x = 2

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(v) The given equation is
3 x–1
–2 2x–1 4 –4 1/3 –(2x–5) 3
(3 ) .(3 .10 ) 3 .3
5/2
=
3 104/3

3 –4 3–2x+5+x–1
x+2+4/3–5/2

=
104/3 104/3
–19
3 –4x+5/6 = 3 –x+4 – 4x + 5/6 = –x + 4 x =
18

If 3x+y = 81 and 81x–y = 3, then find the values of x and y.

Solution
We have, 3x+y = 81 = 34 and (34 )x–y = 31
x + y = 4 .....(1)
and 4x – 4y = 1 .....(2)
on adding, we get 8x = 17
17
x =
8
15
Substituting the value of 'x' in (1), we get, y =
8

1 1 1
Prove that b–a c–a
+ a–b c–b
+ b–c
=1
1+ x +x 1+ x +x 1+ x + xa–c
Solution
1 1 1 xa xb xc
LHS + + = + + = 1
xb xc xa xc xb xa xa + xb + xc x b + x a + xc xc + xb + xa
1+ + 1+ + 1+ +
xa xa xb xb xc xc
= RHS.
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2x 1 8x .
If = , then value of
1+2x 4 1+8x
Solution
2x 1
x
= 4 . 2x = 1 + 2x
1+2 4
1
3 . 2x = 1 2x =
3
1
8x 27 (2x )3
1
= = =
x x 3
1+8 1+(2 ) 1 28
1+
27
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Class IX

x+z
If a1/x = b1/y = c 1/z, b2 = ac, then find the value of .
2y
Solution
a1/x = k b1/y = k c 1/z = k
a = kx b = ky c = kz
we have, b 2 = ac
(k y ) 2 = k x × k z
k 2y = k x × k z
2y = x + z
x z
= 1
2y

Simplify :

x–y y–z z–x z x y

(i) + + + + if x + y + z = 0
z x y x – y y – z z – x÷

(xyz)4
(ii) = (x 0, y 0,z 0)
6
1
–2 3 –3 2 ÷
(x y ) z
÷

a2
a a+b
x xa b
(iii) ÷ ÷
xb xa–b

(iv) x2 ( n–1
+ y2
n–1
)( x2
n–1
– y2
n–1
)
Solution
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

x–y y–z z–x z x y x–y y–z y

+ + + +
x – y y – z z – x÷
(i) = 3+ + ÷
z x y z x z–x
x,y,z
(x – z)(x + z – y)y –(–2y)y
= 3+ = 3+ (since, x + z = –y)
x,y,z
zx(z – x) x,y,z
zx

2y2 y2 z2 x2
= 3+ = 3 + 2 + +
x,y,z zx
zx xy xy ÷

= 3 + 2
x3 + y3 +z3 = 3 + 2
3xyz
xyz ÷ xyz ÷
(since, if x + y + z = 0, then x 3 + y 3 + z 3 = 3xyz)
= 3 + 6 = 9

42
 Mathematics

(xyz)4 x4 .y 4 .z 4 y9+4 .z 4–3 y13 .z

(ii) = = =
1 6 x6 .y –9 .z 3 x6–4 x2
(x –2 y3 ) –3 z 2

a2
a+b
a a
x x b a2
(iii) ÷ = x(a–b)(a+b) ÷ (x a–a+b )
xb xa–b b

a2
= a2 –b2 b b 2
–b2 2 2
–b2 –a2 ) 2
x ÷ (x ) = xa ÷ x a = x (a = x –b
(iv) In the given expression, we assume that
n–1 n–1
x 2 = a, and y 2 = b
Then it becomes
(a + b)(a – b) = a 2 – b 2

n–1 2 n–1 2
= x2 – y2

n–1 1 n–1 1
= x2 × 2 = a, and y 2 × 2

n–1+1 n–1+1 n n
= x2 – y2 = x 2 –y 2

If ax = m, ay = n and a2 = (mynx)z, then find the value of xyz.

Solution
Given that a2 = (mynx)z
a2 = [(ax)y . (ay)x]z [ m= ax n= ay]
a2 = [(axy . axy]z
a2 = [(a 2xy) z
a2 = a2xyz
Since base is same.
Hence 2 = 2xyx
xyz = 1
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

Which is the greater of the two 2300 or 3200 ?

Solution
For comparing two numbers of different base and different exponents, it is better that either the base or the
exponent is made same for both numbers.
Hence 2 300 = (2 3 ) 10 0 = 8 10 0 (exponent is 100)
and 3 200 2
= (3 ) 10 0 = 9 10 0 (exponent is 100)
From the above it is evident that
9 10 0 > 8 10 0
3 20 0 > 2 30 0

43
Class IX

Given that 3 3 x = 51/4 and 4 5 y = 3 , then find the value of 2xy.

Solution
3
3 x = 51/4
3 x/3 = 5 1/4 ....(i)

4
and 5y = 3
5 y/4 = 3 1/2

1 4
×
2 y
5 = 3 ...(ii)
Putting the value of 5 from equation (ii) in equation (i).
1/4
1 4
×
3x/3 = 3 2 y÷
÷

x 1 4 1
= × ×
3 2 y 4
2xy = 3

Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

44
 Mathematics

EXERCISE
Multiple choice questions

1. If 19 4 x = 12 7 , then x =
(1) 84 (2) 28 (3) 21 (4) 14
2. The mean proportional between 11 5 and 13 11 19 5 is:

11 5
(1) 3( 11 5) (2) 3( 11 5) (3) 11 5 (4)
3

3. 6 6 6 6 .......... =
(1) 3 (2) 2 (3) 1 (4) ±3
4. If a = 14 18 , b = 15 17 , then:
(1) a > b (2) a < b (3) a = b (4) a = 1.5b
1 2
5. If x = 8 x
60 , then 2 x
=

(1) 5 (2) 3 (3) 2 5 (4) 2 3

6. 50 48 k( 3 2 ) , then k =
(1) 2 1/2 (2) 2 (3) 2 1/4 (4) None

4 3 5
7. If = a+b 5 , then (a, b) =
4 3 5

61 24 61 24 61 24 61 24
(1) , (2) , (3) , (4) ,
29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29

8. If x = 5, y = 4
10 , z = 3 6 , then:
(1) x < y < z (2) y < z < x (3) z < x < y (4) None
9. If a, b, c are rational such that a + b 2 + c 3 = 0, then:
(1) b = c = 0 (2) a = 0 (3) a = b = c = 0 (4) None
10. If x = 6
9, y = 3 4
11 , z = 17 then:
(1) x > y > z (2) y > z > x (3) z > y > x (4) x < z < y
11. The smallest of 3
4, 4
5, 4
6, 3
8 is:
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

(1) 3
8 (2) 4
5 (3) 3
4 (4) 4
6
12. ( 11 10 ) 12 11 )
(1) < (2) > (3) = (4) cannot be determined
13. If x = 2 + 1, y = 17 2 , then
(1) x < y (2) x > y (3) x = y (4) None

10 14 15 21
14. If = , then:
10 14 15 21 k
(1) k = /2 (2) = k /2 (3) = 2/ k (4) None
15. The positive square root of 11 112 is:
(1) 7 2 (2) 7 2 (3) 2 – 7 (4) None

45
Class IX
16. If x = 2 + 2 1/3 + 2 2/3 , then x 3 – 6x 2 + 6x =
(1) 2 (2) 1 (3) 4 (4) 3
17. The square root 5 2 6 is:

(1) 3 2 (2) 3 2 (3) 2 3 (4) 3 2

18. If (4 + 3/2 – (4 – 3/2 = k
15 ) 15 ) 6 , then k =
(1) 9 (2) 8 (3) 7 (4) 6
19. 21 4 5 8 3 4 15 =
(1) 5 2 2 3 (2) 5 4 12 (3) 5 4 12 (4) 5 4 12

1 1
20. =
12 140 8 60

2 1 2
(1) (2) 0 (3) (4)
10 84 10 84 10 84

7 4 3
21. If x = , then x 2 (x – 14) 2 =
7 4 3
(1) 1 (2) –1 (3) 2 (4) –2
22. If 23 x 10 18 5 then x =
(1) 6 (2) –6 (3) 2 (4) –2

4 3 3
23. If = a + b , then (a, b) =
7 4 3

(1) (12, –1) (2) (1, 12) (3) (–1, 12) (4) (–12, 1)

24. If x a a2 1 then a in terms of x is

x2 1 x2 1 x2 1 x2 3
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2x 2x 2 2

x
25. If x = 3 5 , then =
2 3x 2

(1) 1/ 5 (2) 5 (3) 3 (4) 1/ 3

Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

a a2 1
26. Rationalise the denominator of is
a a2 1

(1) 2a 2 2a a 2 1 1 (2) 2a a 2 1 1 (3) a2 1 1 (4) 2a – 1

27. 2x 2 1 2x x 2 1 =

(1) x x2 1 (2) x x2 1 (3) x x2 1 (4) x x2 1

28. If 1 a 2, then a 2 a 1 a 2 a 1 =

(1) 2 (2) 2 a 1 (3) –2 (4) None

46
 Mathematics
1 1 4
29.
2 3 3 2 3 5

(1) 3 2 7 (2) 5 2 5 (3) 2 5 (4) 1 5

1 1
30. =
5 5 24 5 5 24

(1) 1/2 (2) 1/ 2 (3) 1/3 (4) –1/ 3

4
31. If = a b c , then:
2 3 7
(1) a = 1, b = 4/3, c = 7/3 (2) a = 1, b = 2/3, c = 7/9
(3) a = 2/3, b = 1, c = 7/3 (4) a = 7/9, b = 4/3, c = 1
5 6
32. A rational number between and is
6 7

7 1 81 71
(1) (2) (3) (4)
84 84 74 84

x 1
33. If x = 5 2 6 , then =
2 2x
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4

3 2 4 3 2 3
34.
6 3 6 2 6 2
(1) 2 (2) 1 (3) 0 (4) –1

3 6
35. =
75 48 32 50

(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 3 2 (4) 3 2

6 2 3
36. If = a b 3 , then a + b =
33 19 3
(1) 6 (2) 8 (3) 10 (4) 12
2 2
37. If (5 2 6 ) x 3
(5 2 6 ) x 3
10 , then x =
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

(1) 2, 2 (2) 2, 2 (3) 2, 2 (4) 2, –2, 2, 2

x y
38. If x = 2 3 , xy = 1, then =
2 x 2 y

(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 1 (4) None

p q
1 1
p p x
q q p
39. If p q then x =
1 1 q
q q
p p

(1) p – q (2) p + q (3) q – p (4) pq

47
Class IX

40. 3 4 5 17 4 15 =

(1) 1 (2) 1 (3) –1 (4) 5

5 3
41.
2 3

(1) 3 7 3 (2) 13 3 (3) 1 3 (4) 13 7 3

42. If 10 2 21 7 x then x =
(1) 4 (2) 3 (3) 1 (4) 0

7 4 3 1
43. x then x
7 4 3 x
(1) 0 (2) –1 (3) 14 (4) 2
44. If 3 27 75 a b 3 then (a, b) =
(1) 3, 4 (2) 3, 8 (3) 8, 1 (4) 4, 2
45. If 3 6y 9 3 then y =
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 6 (4) 0
1 1
46. If a ,b then a2b + ab2 =
3 2 2 3 2 2
(1) 0 (2) 6 (3) –6 (4) 1
1 1
47. x = 7 + 4 3 and xy = 1 then 2
x y2
(1) 194 (2) 19 (3) 192 (4) 14
48. If 3 a 3
b 3
c 0 the (a + b + c)3 =
(1) abc (2) 3abc (3) 9ac (4) 27abc

49. If a, b, c are real numbers then the value of a 1 .b. b 1 .c. c 1.a is

1
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) (4) ab
ab
x 1
50. If x 5 2 6 then
x
(1) (2) 2 2 (3) (4) 2 3
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

2 3

51. If y = 3 3 + 1 , then the value of 3y 3 – 9y

33

(1) 0 (2) – 1 (3) 10 (4) All of these

2 2 2
xa b
xb c
xc a
52. The value of the expression: . If x = 2, a = 1, b = 2, c = 3 is
4
a b c
x x x
(1) 1 (2) 8 (3) 0 (4) None of these
9 1
53. If 27k = , then the value of is
k
3 k2
(1) 4 (2) 0 (3) Both (1) & (2) (4) None of these

48
 Mathematics
54. If 4x = 5y = 20 z , then the value of z is

2xy xy
(1) (2) – 2xy (3) 2xy (4)
x y x+y

3 3
55. If x a .x b .x 3ab(a + b) = (25 )25 , and a + b = 5, then the value of x
(1) 2 (2) 0 (3) – 2 (4) – 1
2 2
56. If 32x – 2.3x x 6
32(x 6)
0 then the value of x is
(1) – 2 (2) 3 (3) Both (1) and (2) (4) None of these

b
1 1
57. If x b y = 2x – 3y 2 , then the value of ÷ . is
2 3
(1) 1 (2) 0 (3) – 1 (4) – 2

m + n–l n + l –m l + m–n
xm xn xl
58. The numerical value of ÷ is
xn xl xm
(1) 1 (2) 8 (3) 0 (4) None of these

1 1 1
1 c a 1 a –b 1 b–c
59. The numerical value of x a–b x b–c x c–a is

(1) 1 (2) 8 (3) 0 (4) None of these

n–1 n–1 n–1 n–1

x2 + y2 x2 – y2 ÷
60. The value of is
2n 2n
x –y
(1) 1 (2) 8 (3) 0 (4) None of these

1
61. If 64 x = , then the value of 3x + 4y is
256 y
(1) 1 (2) 8 (3) 0 (4) None of these
62. z x y
If x = y , y = z , z = x , then the value of x y z is
(1) 0 (2) –1 (3) 2 (4) 1
2

((625) )
–1
–1 4
63. 2 =
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

(1) 4 (2) 5 (3) 2 (4) 3

1

( )÷
1 1 3 4

64. 5 8 3 +27 3
=

(1) 3 (2) 6 (3) 5 (4) 4

65. (1 3 + 2 3 + 3 3 + 4 3 ) –3/2 =
(1) 10 –3 (2) 10 –2 (3) 10 –4 (4) 10 –1
66. (0.000729) –3/4 × (0.09) –3/4 =

103 105 102 106

(1) (2) (3) (4)
33 35 32 36

49
Class IX
–2/3
–12
4
1
67. ÷ =
x

1 1 1 1
(1) 2 (2) 4 (3) 3 (4)
x x x x

3
x3 × x5 30 77
68. × x =
5 3
x
(1) x 76/15 (2) x 78/15 (3) x 79/15 (4) x 77/15
69. If 800 = 8 × 10 8 × x –3/2 , then x=
(1) 10 2 (2) 10 3 (3) 10 4 (4) 10 5
3/4 7/6 7–x
5 5 5
70. – ÷ when divided by – ÷ becomes – ÷ , the value of x is
6 6 6

7 89 8 10
(1) (2) (3) (4)
12 12 12 12
71. If 4 x – 4 x–1 = 24, then the value of (2x) x is
(1) 5 5/2 (2) 5 1/3 (3) 4 1/2 (4) 6 1/2
72. If a = b 2x , b = c 2y , c = a 2z , then xyz =
(1) 2 –2 (2) 2 –3 (3) 2 2 (4) 2 3

73. If 4 3 x2 = x k, then k =

2 1
(1) (2) 6 (3) (4) 7
6 6
74. Given that m 2 = 27 2/3 × 16 –3/2 , find the value of m.

9 3 3 3
(1) (2) (3) (4)
34 16 8 4

1 2
–
2
75. 7 2 ×5 ÷ ÷ 253 =
÷
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

5 7 5
(1) (2) (3) 35 (4) –
7 5 7
–2
d3
76. (2d 2 e –1 ) 3 × ÷ =
e
(1) 8e –2 (2) 8e –3 (3) 8e –1 (4) 8e –4

77. (27 –2 ) 1/3 × 43 =

(1) 7/9 (2) 8/9 (3) 9/9 (4) 10/9
78. If 9 1/2 × 3m = (27) m, then the value of m is
(1) 1/4 (2) 1/5 (3) 1/3 (4) 1/2

50
 Mathematics

x–y
79. =
x+ y

(1) x–y (2) x+ y (3) – ( x+ y ) (4) x– y

3
80. If 9x = 92 , then x =

2 4 1 5
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3 3 3 3

1 1 1
81. n 1+ 1+ ... 1 + =
n n +1 n+m
(1) n + m (2) n + m + 1 (3) m (4) None of these

( )
y
If a x = a x
y
82. , then x y–1 . y x–1 =

y
(1) y x (2) x y (3) xy (4)
x
1
83. If a = x + , then x 3 + x –3 =
x
(1) a 3 + 3a (2) a 3 – 3a (3) a 3 + 3 (4) a3 – 3
84. If a = x 1/3 – x –1/3 3
, then a + 3a =
(1) x – x –1 (2) x –1 – x (3) x + x –1 (4) x –1 + x
85. 3
If a + b + c = 0, then (a + b + c ) = 3 3 2

(1) 3a 2 b 2 c 2 (2) 9abc (3) 9a 2 b 2 c 2 (4) 27abc

86. y x
If x = y and x = 2y, then the values of x and y are
(1) x = 4, y = 2 (2) x = 3, y = 2 (3) x = 1, y = 1 (4) None of these
87. If a x = b y = c z , abc = 1, then the value of xy + yz + zx is
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 0 (4) None of these
88. If a x–1 = bc, b y–1 = ac, c z–1 = ab, then the value of xy + yz + zx – xyz is
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 0 (4) None of these
m n m n
89. If (a ) = a , then express 'm' in the terms of n is
1 1 1
(1) n 1 (2) n 1 (3) n (4) None of these
n n n

1–2x
q p
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

=
p÷
90. If then the value x is
q
(1) x = 3/4 (2) x = 4/3 (3) x = 1 (4) None of these
3–2x
1
If4 x–1 = (0.125) x then the value x is
2÷
91.

(1) 5/7 (2) 2/8 (3) 2/7 (4) None of these

n
aq – p 2(p – q)
92. The value of a is
q pq – q 2
a
(1) 2 (2) p (3) 1 (4) None of these

51
Class IX
2 –1 –1 –1 b 2c –1 –1 b –1 c 2
93. If a + b + c = 0, then x a b c . x a . xa =
2 2 2 2 2 2
(1) x a b c (2) x 1/a b c (3) x 1/2 (4) x 3
1 1
94. If ab = 1, then
–1
+ =
1+ a 1 + b –1

1
(1) ab (2) 1 (3) a + b (4)
ab
1 1 1
95. If a x = b y = c z = abc, then + + =
x y z

1
(1) –1 (2) xyz (3) 1 (4)
xyz
96. If a p = x, a q = y, x q y p = a 2/r then pqr =
(1) 1 (2) –1 (3) x –1/p (4) x p

45
97. 23 =
32 20
(1) 2 60 (2) 2 9 (3) (2 3 ) (4) None of these
1 1
98.
a –b
+ =
1+ x 1 + x b–a

xab xab xab

(1) (2) (3) 1 (4)
xa + xb x a –b x b–a

a b– c b c–a c a–b
(a –c)( b–c ) (b –a)(c–a ) (c– b)(a– b)
99. x .x .x =
(1) x a+b+c (2) x (3) 1 (4) 0

n +1
1 0 0 . 2.3 + 7.3n–1 =
1–n
1
3n + 2 – 2
3÷

(1) 1 (2) 3 (3) –1 (4) 0

n +1 m 2 n n
(2 ) (2 ) 2
1 0 1 . If m +1 n 2m = 1, then m =
(2 ) 2
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) n (4) 2n
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

1 0 2 . If abc = 1, then (1 + a + b –1 ) –1 =
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) –1 (4) a + b + c
x/y
x
1 0 3 . If x y = y x , then =
y÷

x x
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) –1 (4)
y y
x x
a2 + ab + b2 b2 + bc + c2 c2 + ac + a2
xa xb xc
1 0 4 . The value of ÷ is
xb xc xa
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) All of these

52
 Mathematics

3.2n – 4.2n
1 0 5 . The value of is
2n – 2n–1
(1) – 1 (2) – 3 (3) – 4 (4) – 2

a b c
1 0 6 . The value of ab x .bc x .ca x is
xb xc xa
(1) 1 (2) 0 (3) 3 (4) All of these

p + p2 + p3 + p 4 + p5 + p6 + p7
1 0 7 . The value of is
p –3 + p –4 + p –5 + p –6 + p –7 + p –8 + p –9

(1) p 10 (2) 1 (3) 0 (4) p 3

1 0 8 . If (p + q) –1 (p –1 + q –1 )= p aq b , then the value of a + b is
(1) –2 (2) – 1 (3) 0 (4) 3
1 0 9 . The simplest value of : [1 – 1{1 – (1 – x2 ) –1 }–1 ] –1/2 is
(1) x (2) x 2 (3) 1 (4) 0

2 2 2

1 1 0 . The value of l m
xl m n
xm n 1
xn is
2 2 2
xm xn xl
(1) 2 (2) 0 (3) –1 (4) 1

a+b b+c c+a

xa xb xc
111. × × ÷ = _______
xb xc xa

(1) –1 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) –2

( 25 )÷
0
–2/3
64 1
÷ +
125 ÷
( 625)
112. 1/4 3 64 ÷ = _______
256

9 9 8 8
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2 4 2 4
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

1
( ) 1 , then x =_______
3 2x+
1 1 3 . If 4 2 =
32
(1) –2 (2) 4 (3) –6 (4) –4

4n+1.2n – 8n 3
1 1 4 . If
2n
= , then n =_______
2 8
(1) –1 (2) –2 (3) –3 (4) –4

115. x –1y. y –1z. z –1x =_______

(1) 2 (2) 4 (3) 1 (4) 3

53
Class IX

1 1
116. m–n
+ =
1+a 1+ a n–m
(1) 1 (2) 3 (3) 5 (4) 4
p q –p
1 1
p2 – p–
q2 q
1 1 7 . The simplest value of is
q p– q
1 1
q2 – q
2 p
p
p q p q
p p
(1) 1 (2) (3) (4) –1
q q

1 1 1
1 1 8 . The value of is
1 x b –c xa – c 1 xc – a x b– a 1 xa – b xc – b
(1) 1 (2) 8 (3) 0 (4) None of these

m2 mn n2 n2 nl l2 l2 lm m2
xm xn xl
1 1 9 . The value of is
xn xl xm
(1) 1 (2) 8 (3) 0 (4) None of these
1 1 1
1 2 0 . If pqr = 1, then the value of is
–1 –1
1 p q 1 q r 1 r p –1
(1) 1 (2) 8 (3) 0 (4) None of these

ANSWERS
Qu e. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans . 3 2 1 2 1 3 4 2 3 1 2 2 1 3 1
Node5\e\Data\CBSE-2016\09th\Advance\CCP\Maths-1\2_Surds & Indices.p65

Qu e. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans . 1 4 1 3 4 1 1 3 1 1 1 2 3 2 4
Qu e. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Ans . 1 4 2 3 2 2 4 1 2 2 4 2 3 2 3
Qu e. 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Ans . 2 1 4 2 2 3 1 1 4 1 3 2 1 1 1
Qu e. 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75
Ans . 3 4 2 3 1 4 1 4 3 2 1 2 3 3 1
Qu e. 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
Ans . 3 2 4 4 2 2 1 2 1 3 1 3 3 1 1
Qu e. 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105
Ans . 1 3 4 2 3 1 4 3 3 1 4 2 3 1 4
Qu e. 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120
Ans . 1 1 1 1 4 2 2 4 3 3 1 3 1 1 1

54