Common Percentage Traps
Part of Percentage Problems · GCSE GCSE Mathematics revision
This study notes covers Common Percentage Traps within Percentage Problems for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Percentage Problems in Number for GCSE Mathematics with 14 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 4 of 8 in this topic. Use this study notes to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 4 of 8
Practice
14 questions
Recall
22 flashcards
Common Percentage Traps
- Adding VAT to VAT: Don't add 20% VAT to a price that already includes VAT
- Double Discounts: 20% off then 10% off ≠ 30% off (it's actually 28% off)
- Percentage vs Percentage Points: Interest rising from 3% to 5% is a 2 percentage point increase, not 2%
- Base Confusion: Make sure you know what the percentage is OF
- Reverse Calculation Errors: To remove 20% VAT, divide by 1.2, don't subtract 20%
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Percentage Problems. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Percentage Problems
What is the multiplier for a 30% increase?
Work out 20% of 60.
Quick Recall Flashcards
14 questions on Percentage Problems — practise free
Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 22 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.
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