Powers, standard form and accuracy

About this lab: Powers, standard form and accuracy

Interactive simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 topics 1.3, 1.7 to 1.10 and 1.18: see square and cube numbers as areas and volumes and estimate roots, build the laws of indices from repeated multiplication including zero, negative and fractional powers, convert and calculate in standard form on a scale from atoms to the Sun, round to decimal places and significant figures and estimate calculations, find upper and lower bounds including areas and speeds, and simplify surds and rationalise denominators.

IGCSE Mathematics 0580, topics 1.3, 1.7-1.10 and 1.18. Squares, cubes and roots, the laws of indices, standard form, rounding and estimating, upper and lower bounds, and surds.

Powers, standard form and accuracy is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 (topic 1 Number, sections 1.3 Powers and roots, 1.7 Indices I, 1.8 Standard form and more). The course is assessed in Paper 1 (Core non-calculator), Paper 2 (Extended non-calculator), Paper 3 (Core calculator), Paper 4 (Extended calculator). Syllabus for examination in 2025-2027. There are 6 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

• 1.3 Powers and roots. Lessons: Squares, cubes and roots.
• 1.7 Indices I. Lessons: Indices: the laws of indices.
• 1.8 Standard form. Lessons: Standard form.
• 1.9 Estimation. Lessons: Rounding and estimation.
• 1.10 Limits of accuracy. Lessons: Limits of accuracy: upper and lower bounds.
• 1.18 Surds (Extended). Lessons: Surds: simplifying and rationalising.

Full syllabus map: IGCSE Mathematics 0580 topic 1.

How to use this simulation

1. 1. Powers and roots.
2. 2. Indices.
3. 3. Standard form.
4. 4. Rounding and estimating.
5. 5. Limits of accuracy.
6. 6. Surds.
7. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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