NumberExam Tips

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Part of Index Laws · GCSE GCSE Mathematics revision

This exam tips covers Common Mistakes to Avoid within Index Laws for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Index Laws in Number for GCSE Mathematics with 14 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 12 of 14 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.

Topic position

Section 12 of 14

Practice

14 questions

Recall

22 flashcards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wrong: 2³ × 3² = 6⁵ ✅ Right: Cannot combine - different bases

Index laws only work with same base

❌ Wrong: (2³)⁴ = 2⁷ ✅ Right: (2³)⁴ = 2¹²

Multiply powers, don't add

❌ Wrong: 5⁰ = 0 ✅ Right: 5⁰ = 1

Any number to power 0 equals 1 (except 0⁰)

❌ Wrong: 2⁻³ = -8 ✅ Right: 2⁻³ = 1/8

Negative power ≠ negative number

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Index Laws. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Higher Level: Fractional Indices Exam Tips The Rules of Powers What Are Index Laws?

Practice Questions for Index Laws

Which of these is equivalent to a³ × a⁵?

A. a⁸
B. a¹⁵
C. a²
D. 2a⁸

1 markstandard

Simplify a⁵ × a³

1 markfoundation

Quick Recall Flashcards

Zero Power Law

a⁰ = 1 ANY number to power 0 equals 1 (except 0⁰ which is undefined) Examples: 5⁰ = 1, 100⁰ = 1

Division Law

aᵐ ÷ aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ SUBTRACT the powers Example: 5⁶ ÷ 5² = 5⁴

14 questions on Index Laws — practise free

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Higher Level: Fractional Indices

Exam Tips