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UPDATED TO 2023-2024 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE
MATHEMATICS
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE MATHEMATICS

1. Number
Natural numbers:
used for counting purposes
A∩B is shaded A∪B ‎is shaded
all possible rational &irrational numbers
Integer: a whole number ‎⊂‎‘is a subset of’
Prime numbers:
divisible only by itself and one
1 is not a prime number
Rational numbers: can be written as a fraction
Irrational numbers: cannot be written as a fraction e.g. π
Cube numbers: made from multiplying a rational number
ξ = {a, b, c, d, e} A’ is shaded
to itself thrice.
b∈X
Reciprocals: A number made by raising a rational number
to -1, or 1 over that number
of elements in A

1.2. HCF and LCM ∈ = …is an element of…

\n otin = …is not an element of…
Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple: A′ = compliment of set A
Ø or = empty set
ξ = Universal set
A ∪ B = union of A and B
A ∩ B = intersection of A and B
A ⊆ B = A is a subset of B
HCF = product of common factors of x and y
A ⊂ B = A is a proper subset of B
LCM = product of all items in Venn diagram
A⊄B = A is not a subset of B

1.4. Indices
Standard form:

10 4 = 10000
10 3 = 1000
10 2 = 100
Prime Factorization: finding which prime numbers 10 1 = 10
multiply together to make the original number 10 0 = 1
10 −1 = 0.1
1.3. Sets 10 −2 = 0.01
10 −3 = 0.001
Definition of sets e.g. 10 −4 = 0.0001
A = { x : x is a natural number} 10 −5 = 0.00001
B = {( x , y): y = mx + c } Limits of accuracy:
C = { x : a ≤ x ≤ b}
D = { a, b, c , … } The degree of rounding of a number
E.g. 2.1 to 1 d.p 2.05 ≤ x < 2.15
Set representations: Finding limits when adding/multiplying: add/multiply
respective limits of values
Finding maximum value possible when
dividing/subtracting: max value divided by/minus min
value
Finding minimum value possible when
A∩B is shaded A∪B ‎is shaded dividing/subtracting: min value divided by/minus max
value
‎⊂‎‘is a subset of’

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Units of speed: km/hr or m/s

1.5. Ratio & Proportion
Units of distance: km or m
Ratio: used to describe a fraction Units of time: hr or sec
e.g. 3 : 1
5
Foreign exchange: money changed from one currency to km/hr × = m/sec
18
​

another using proportion

E.g. Convert $22.50 to Dinars 18
m/sec × = km/hr
$1 : 0.30KD 5
​

$22.50 : 6.75KD
Map scales: using proportion to work out map scales
1km = 1000m
2. Algebra & Graphs
1m = 100cm
1cm = 10mm 2.1. Factorisation
Direct variation: y is proportional to x
Common factors:
y∝x
3x 2 + 6x
y = kx
3x(x + 2)
Inverse variation: y is inversely proportional to x
Difference of two squares:
1
y∝
x 25 − x 2
​

k
y= ​
(5 + x)(5 − x)
x
Group factorization:
1.6. Percentages
4d + ac + ad + 4c
Percentage:
Convenient way of expressing fractions 4 (d + c ) + a(c + d)
Percent means per 100
(4 + a)(c + d)
Percentage increase or decrease:
Trinomial:
Actual Change
P ercentage increase = × 100
Original Amount x 2 + 14x + 24
​

Simple interest:
x 2 + 12x + 2x + 24
PRT
I= x (x + 12 ) + 2 (x + 12 )
100
​

Where, P= P rincipal, R = Rate Of I nterest, and (x + 2)(x + 12)

T = T ime
2.2. Quadratic Factorisation
Compound interest:
n General equation:
A = P (1 + )
R
100 ax 2 + bx + c = 0
​

Where, P= P rincipal, R = Rate Of I nterest, and Solve quadratics by:

T = T ime Trinomial factorization
Quadratic formula
1.7. Speed, Distance & Time −b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
​

2a
​

Distance
Speed =
Time When question says, “give your answer to two decimal
​

Total Distance places”, use formula!

Average Speed = Derivation of the Quadratic Formula is the same as saying
Total Time
​

“Make x the subject in ax 2 + bx + c = 0 ”

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