IGCSE Maths Formulas: What to Memorise and What You're Given
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Introduction: Why Knowing Your IGCSE Maths Formulas Matters
Many students sit their IGCSE Maths exam unsure which formulas Cambridge provides and which they must memorise. Furthermore, this uncertainty wastes valuable revision time and causes avoidable errors under exam pressure.
At Quest For Success, we consistently see students lose marks simply because they either memorised something Cambridge gives them — or assumed Cambridge would give something it doesn’t. Therefore, knowing exactly what’s on the formula sheet and what isn’t is a foundational part of your exam preparation. Moreover, Cambridge IGCSE Maths (0580) does provide some formulas — but far fewer than most students expect. Consequently, the majority of IGCSE Maths formulas must come from memory. This guide gives you a clear, topic-by-topic breakdown of every formula you need, updated for the 2026 syllabus.
What Cambridge Actually Gives You in the Exam
First, let’s clarify what Cambridge provides. Furthermore, understanding this prevents wasted revision effort. For IGCSE Maths (0580), Cambridge provides the following in the exam: the quadratic formula, the sine rule, the cosine rule, and the area of a triangle formula (½ab sin C). Additionally, certain statistical and probability formulas appear within specific questions when needed.
However, that is essentially the full extent of what Cambridge supplies. Consequently, every other formula — and there are many — must come from your own memory. Moreover, many students mistakenly believe more formulas are provided than actually are. Therefore, treat the Cambridge formula list as a minimal safety net, not a comprehensive reference sheet. So, your revision goal is clear: memorise everything outside those four provided formulas thoroughly and reliably.
IGCSE Algebra Formulas You Must Memorise
Algebra is the most heavily tested topic in IGCSE Maths, and consequently, its formulas appear across multiple question types. Therefore, these must be completely automatic by exam day. First, memorise the difference of two squares: a² − b² = (a + b)(a − b). Second, know the expansion of (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² and (a − b)² = a² − 2ab + b².
Additionally, memorise the index laws: aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ, aᵐ ÷ aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ, and (aᵐ)ⁿ = aᵐⁿ. Furthermore, know that a⁰ = 1 and a⁻ⁿ = 1/aⁿ for all non-zero values. Moreover, for sequences, memorise the nth term formula for arithmetic sequences: a + (n−1)d, where a is the first term and d is the common difference. Consequently, drilling these formulas in context — not just reciting them — builds reliable recall under timed pressure.
IGCSE Geometry and Mensuration Formulas to Know
Geometry questions carry significant marks in IGCSE Mathematics formulas testing. Furthermore, Cambridge does not provide most shape formulas — you must memorise them completely. Therefore, learn the following: area of a circle = πr², circumference = 2πr, area of a sector = (θ/360) × πr², and arc length = (θ/360) × 2πr.
Additionally, memorise volume formulas: volume of a cylinder = πr²h, volume of a cone = ⅓πr²h, and volume of a sphere = (4/3)πr³. Furthermore, surface area of a sphere = 4πr² and curved surface area of a cone = πrl, where l is the slant height. Moreover, for 2D shapes, know: area of a trapezium = ½(a + b)h and area of a parallelogram = base × height. Consequently, students who write these out daily during the final revision weeks retain them reliably on exam day.
Trigonometry Formulas: What's Given vs What Isn't
Trigonometry is where students most commonly confuse what Cambridge provides with what they must memorise. Furthermore, Cambridge does provide the sine rule, cosine rule, and the area formula ½ab sin C — but only these. Therefore, you must still memorise SOH-CAH-TOA independently, since it doesn’t appear on the formula sheet.
Additionally, know the exact trigonometric values: sin 30° = ½, cos 30° = √3/2, sin 45° = cos 45° = 1/√2, sin 60° = √3/2, and cos 60° = ½. Moreover, for right-angled triangles, memorise Pythagoras’ theorem: a² + b² = c². Consequently, these exact values appear regularly in non-calculator papers. Furthermore, practise applying the IGCSE Maths formulas for the sine and cosine rules from memory even though Cambridge provides them — arriving at the exam already knowing them saves critical reading time.
Statistics and Probability Formulas to Memorise
Statistics questions test a specific set of IGCSE Maths formulae that students frequently neglect during revision. Therefore, prioritise these early. First, memorise: mean = sum of values ÷ number of values. Second, for grouped frequency tables, mean = Σfx ÷ Σf, where f is frequency and x is the midpoint. Furthermore, know that probability of an event = number of favourable outcomes ÷ total number of outcomes.
Additionally, for combined events, memorise: P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B) for independent events, and P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A and B) for non-mutually exclusive events. Moreover, understand that for mutually exclusive events, P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B). Consequently, these formulas appear in both Paper 2 (Extended) and Paper 1 (Core) and reward students who can apply them quickly and accurately.
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Conclusion
Knowing which IGCSE Mathematics formulas to learn is only half the challenge. Furthermore, retaining them under timed exam pressure requires a specific memorisation approach.
Daily active recall builds far stronger retention than passive re-reading. Additionally, practise each formula within actual exam questions immediately after learning it — context anchors memory. Moreover, use Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics syllabus 0580 to verify you’re revising the correct formula set for your specific paper year. Furthermore, for university aspirations, check Imperial College London’s undergraduate entry requirements to understand how strong IGCSE Maths grades open doors to competitive STEM programmes globally.
At Quest for Success, our students who follow a structured formula memorisation plan consistently perform above their predicted grades in IGCSE Maths — because confident, automatic formula recall frees mental energy for problem-solving under pressure.