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Index laws are a key algebra and number skill. Students must also handle negative indices, making this a topic that bridges number work with algebraic manipulation.
Students make these errors again and again. Knowing them in advance gives you a head start.
Multiplying the indices instead of adding them when multiplying powers with the same base
Thinking a negative index makes the answer negative rather than a reciprocal
Confusing fractional indices with fractions of a number
Insights pulled from Cambridge IGCSE (0580) examiner reports — the exact mistakes candidates make every year.
For time intervals crossing midnight, split into two parts: time until midnight + time after midnight. Remember an hour has 60 minutes, not 100.
Source: CIE 0580 · Feb/March 2024 · Paper 1 · Q5
For compound interest, the rate and the number of periods must MATCH. 0.25% per month over 5 years = 60 monthly periods (not 5). Don't silently convert to annual — apply the rate as given.
Source: CIE 0580 · Feb/March 2023 · Paper 4 · Q1a(iii)
When finding bounds, always give the final answer in the SAME UNITS as the variable in the question. If l is in metres, bounds must be in metres — convert at the end if your working was in cm.
Source: CIE 0580 · May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · Q18
Based on 3of 500+ insights extracted from CIE 0580 examiner reports (2018–2024).
This topic appears in the Cambridge IGCSE past papers. Our AI tutor can help with it on any question.
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