IGCSE maths formulas
given in the paper, and to learn.
Cambridge 0580 prints a list of formulas on page 2 of every paper, and Pearson Edexcel 4MA1 includes a formulae sheet for each tier, but neither gives everything: Pythagoras’ theorem, the trigonometric ratios and interest must be learned. OxfordAQA 9260 lists the formulas students must know, which are not normally given.
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 and 0980
A list of formulas is printed on page 2 of every paper: the Core list on Papers 1 and 3, the Extended list on Papers 2 and 4. The syllabus says which others must be known.
Given: on every paper
- A = ½bhArea of a triangle, base b, height h.
- A = πr² and C = 2πrArea and circumference of a circle.
- A = 2πrhCurved surface area of a cylinder.
- A = πrlCurved surface area of a cone, sloping edge l.
- A = 4πr²Surface area of a sphere.
- V = AlVolume of a prism, cross-sectional area A, length l.
- V = ⅓AhVolume of a pyramid.
- V = πr²hVolume of a cylinder.
- V = ⅓πr²hVolume of a cone.
- V = ⁴⁄₃πr³Volume of a sphere.
Given: Extended papers only
- x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2aThe quadratic formula, for ax² + bx + c = 0.
- a / sin A = b / sin B = c / sin CThe sine rule.
- a² = b² + c² − 2bc cos AThe cosine rule.
- Area = ½ab sin CArea of any triangle.
Not given: learn these
- a² + b² = c²Pythagoras’ theorem.
- sin = opp / hyp, cos = adj / hyp, tan = opp / adjThe trigonometric ratios in a right-angled triangle.
- speed = distance ÷ timeAverage speed. Formulas for other rates, such as density and pressure, are given in the question.
- simple and compound interestThe syllabus says these formulas are not given.
- rectangle, parallelogram, trapeziumTheir areas and perimeters: only the triangle’s area is given.
- squares 1 to 15; cubes of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10And their roots, from memory.
- P(not A) = 1 − P(A)The probability of an event not happening.
- 1 year = 365 daysFor interest and time questions.
- exact values of sin, cos and tanExtendedFor 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° (tan up to 60°).
- |(x, y)| = √(x² + y²)ExtendedMagnitude of a vector.
- frequency density = frequency ÷ class widthExtendedFor histograms.
- volume ratio = (length ratio)³ExtendedFor similar solids.
Cambridge 0580 syllabus for 2025 to 2027 Checked 6 November 2026.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A 4MA1
A formulae sheet for the tier is included in the exam. Neither sheet gives the area or circumference of a circle, Pythagoras or the trigonometric ratios.
Given: Foundation sheet
- Area of trapezium = ½(a + b)ha and b the parallel sides, h the height.
- Volume of prism = area of cross section × length
- Volume of cylinder = πr²h
- Curved surface area of cylinder = 2πrh
Given: Higher sheet (adds to the Foundation four)
- Sₙ = ½n[2a + (n − 1)d]Sum of an arithmetic series to n terms.
- x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2aThe quadratic formula.
- a / sin A = b / sin B = c / sin CSine rule.
- a² = b² + c² − 2bc cos ACosine rule.
- Area of triangle = ½ab sin C
- Volume of cone = ⅓πr²h; curved surface area = πrll the slant height.
- Volume of sphere = ⁴⁄₃πr³; surface area = 4πr²
Not given: learn these
- a² + b² = c²Pythagoras’ theorem.
- sin = opp / hyp, cos = adj / hyp, tan = opp / adjSine, cosine and tangent of acute angles.
- area of a circle and its circumferenceWith the areas of triangles, rectangles and parallelograms.
- speed = distance ÷ timeAverage speed. The formula for pressure is given.
- nth term = a + (n − 1)dHigherAn arithmetic sequence.
Pearson 4MA1 specification, Appendices 4 and 5 Checked 6 November 2026.
OxfordAQA International GCSE Mathematics 9260
Not given: the specification lists the formulas students must know, which will not normally be in the exam. Any other formula is given in the question that needs it, and π is 3.142 where a calculator has no π key.
Learn these (Appendix 6.1)
- x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2aThe quadratic formula.
- C = 2πr = πd; A = πr²Circumference and area of a circle.
- a² + b² = c²Pythagoras’ theorem.
- sin A = a / c, cos A = b / c, tan A = a / bTrigonometry in a right-angled triangle, c the hypotenuse.
- a / sin A = b / sin B = c / sin CSine rule.
- a² = b² + c² − 2bc cos ACosine rule.
- Area = ½ab sin CArea of any triangle.
- Area of a trapezium = ½(a + b)h
- Volume of a prism = area of cross section × length
Also to know
- P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B)For mutually exclusive events.
- P(A ∩ B) = P(A) × P(B)ExtensionFor independent events.
- value = P(1 + r/100)ⁿExtensionCompound interest: P invested at r% for n years.
OxfordAQA 9260 specification, Appendix 6.1 Checked 6 November 2026.
IGCSE maths formulas:
questions students ask.
Is there a formula sheet in IGCSE maths?
Yes for Cambridge and Edexcel, but not for everything. Cambridge 0580 prints a list of formulas on page 2 of every paper, and Edexcel 4MA1 includes a Foundation or Higher formulae sheet. OxfordAQA 9260 normally gives none of the formulas students must know.
Which formulas are not given in Cambridge IGCSE maths?
Among others: Pythagoras’ theorem, the sine, cosine and tangent ratios, simple and compound interest, speed, distance and time, and the areas of a rectangle, parallelogram and trapezium. Extended students also need the exact trigonometric values and the magnitude of a vector.
Is the quadratic formula given in IGCSE maths?
On Cambridge’s Extended papers and Edexcel’s Higher sheet, yes. OxfordAQA 9260 expects students to know it.
Do I need to learn the area of a circle for Edexcel IGCSE maths?
Yes. Neither 4MA1 formulae sheet gives the area or circumference of a circle; they give the trapezium, prisms and cylinders, and on Higher, cones and spheres.
Do UK GCSE maths students get a formula sheet?
For UK GCSE maths exams in 2025 to 2027 a formulae sheet comes with every paper, and Ofqual has decided to keep sheets for the life of the current qualifications. International GCSE sheets are the boards’ own, as above.