Dividing Indices

An index is sometimes called a power or an exponent.  

In 5⁴, the 4 is the index and the 5 is the base.

5⁴ is read as "5 to the power 4" or "5 to the 4" and means 5 x 5 x 5 x 5.

Dividing numbers

When we divide numbers with the same base number, we can just subtract the indices.

5⁷ ÷ 5³ = 5⁴

This is because, when we divide we can cancel a 5 on the top with a 5 on the bottom, leaving four 5s on the top.