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UPDATED TO 2023-2025 SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE
MATHEMATICS
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY SYLLABUS
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CAIE IGCSE MATHEMATICS
2
b2 − 4ac
a (x + ) =
b
1. Algebra & Graphs 2a 4a
2
b2 − 4ac
(x + ) =
1.1. Factorisation b
2a 4a2
Common factors:
b b2 − 4ac
2
x+ =±
3x + 6x 2a 4a2
3x(x + 2)
b ± b2 − 4ac
x+ =
Di!erence of two squares: 2a 4a2
25 − x2 Note: 4a2 is a square number
(5 + x)(5 − x)
b ± b2 − 4ac
x+ =
Group factorization: 2a 2a
4d + ac + ad + 4c −b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
4 (d + c) + a(c + d) 2a
(4 + a)(c + d) Standardized form:
Trinomial:
y = ax2 +bx + c
Complete Square form:
2
2
x + 14x + 24 y = (x + a) +b (Where axis of symmetry is x =
x2 + 12x + 2x + 24 −a)
x (x + 12) + 2 (x + 12) To find the turning point of the quadratic equation,
(x + 2)(x + 12) complete the square, then the turning point is:
(−a, b)
Ways to solve Quadratic equations:
1.2. Quadratic Factorisation
Graphing Method
Factorizing
General equation:
Quadratic Formula
ax2 + bx + c = 0 Complete the Square
Solve quadratics by: - Graphing Method – Graph the equation,
Trinomial factorization see where it touches the X-axis
Quadratic formula - Factorizing
e.g. x2 − x − 6 = 0
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x= x2 − x − 6 = 0
2a
When the question says, “Give your answer to two (x − 3) (x + 2) = 0
decimal places,” use the formula!
Derivation of the Quadratic Formula is the same as x1 = 3
2
saying “Make x the subject in ax + bx + c = 0” x2 = −2
2
ax + bx + c = 0 - Quadratic Formula
e.g. x2 − x − 6 = 0
Factorize a out
Where a = 1, b = −1, c = −6
Plug the numbers in the Quadratic Formula:
a (x2 + x) + c = 0
b
a
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
Complete the Square 2a
2 Therefore:
a ((x + ) − 2)+ c = 0
b b2
2a 4a
2
b2
a (x + ) −
b
+c=0
2a 4a
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CAIE IGCSE MATHEMATICS
2
− (−1) ± (−1) − 4 (1) (−6)
x=
2 ( 1)
x1 = 3
x2 = −2
- Complete the Square
e.g. x2 + 10x + 5 = 0
(WARNING! Coe!cient of x2 Must be 1 for this to work)
x2 + 10x + 5 = 0
2
(x + 5) − 52 + 5 = 0 1.5. Exponential Graphs
2
(x + 5) − 20 = 0
2
(x + 5) = 20
x + 5 = ± 20
x = −5 ± 20
Answer is:
x1 = −5 + 20, x2 = −5 − 20
1.3. Reciprocal Graphs (Hyperbola)
Standardized Form: Standardized form:
x
y = xa y = a (b)
Properties:
If a is Positive: If a is Negative:
The Line will be in the The Line will be in the a is the y -intercept
1st&3rd Quadrant 2nd&4th Quadrant
Asymptotes are lines that a curve approaches but
never touches because the curve continues to
1.4. Cubic Equation infinity. In this case, The asymptotes are y = 0 and
x=4
Standardized Form:
b is the rate of growth
y =ax3 +bx2 +cx + d When 0 < b < 1, the graph will go downwards from
Properties:
left to right
The highest exponent of x is 3
Has a maximum of 2 turning points
1.6. Gradient of a Curve
Turning points are points after which a graph changes its
gradient’s sign, changing direction between up and down.
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CAIE IGCSE MATHEMATICS
By drawing tangents Can be solved either by substitution or elimination
In a straight line, the gradient is constant Generally solved by substitution as follows:
Curves have varying gradients throughout the graph. Step 1: obtain an equation in one unknown and solve
To find the gradient at a point: this equation
1. Draw the graph Step 2: substitute the results from Step 1 into a linear
2. Draw a tangent at the point in the graph, ensuring equation to find the other unknown
it only touches the graph at that point (Use a ruler) The solution of their simultaneous equations gives the
3. Find the gradient of the tangent points of intersection of two graphs.
1.8. Inequalities
Solve like equations
Multiplying or dividing by negative ⇒ switch sign
y
−3 ≥ −7
y ≤ −7 × −3
y ≤ 21
When two inequalities present, split into two
x < 3x − 1 < 2x + 7
x < 3x − 1 3x − 1 < 2x + 7
Using di!erentiation x > 12 x<8
dy
dx
gives you the gradient of the the curve at any
1
point in terms of x 2 <x<8
When y = xn , dy = nxn−1
dx
Stationary/ turning point: dy
dx =0 1.9. Linear Programming
′
st dy
1 Derivative = dx = f (x)
d2 y ′′ For strict inequalities (<, >) use broken line
2nd Derivative = dx2 = f (x)
For non-strict inequalities (≤, ≥) use solid line
To determine if the stationary point is maximum or
Steps to solve:
minimum:
Interpret y = mx + c
Use 2nd derivative
d2 y
Draw straight-line graphs
Maximum point:
dx2 2
<0 Shade
Minimum point: d y2 >0 Solve
dx
Use gradients around the point
Input x values slightly above and below the
stationary point and calculate the gradient
1.7. Simultaneous Equations
1.10. Sequences
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CAIE IGCSE MATHEMATICS
Linear sequences: Find a common di#erence e.g., 3,
then multiply by n and work out what needs to be added
Quadratic sequences:
Format: an2 + bn + c
Work out the values and then place them into a
formula to work out nth term formula
Geometric progression: the sequence where the term
has been multiplied by a constant to form the next term
From O to A: Uniform increase in speed
nth term of G.P . = ar (n−1) From A to B: Constant speed (acceleration = 0)
From B to C: Uniform deceleration / retardation
a = 1st term r = common ratio
1.11. Distance-Time Graphs
Area under a graph = distance travelled.
Gradient = acceleration.
If the acceleration is negative, it is called deceleration or
retardation. (moving body is slowing down.)
1.13. Functions
Function notation:
f : x → 2x − 1
Function f such that x maps onto 2x − 1
From O to A: Uniform speed Composite function: Given two functions f (x) and
From B to C: Uniform speed (return journey) g (x), the composite function of f and g is the function
From A to B: Stationery (speed = 0) that maps x onto f (g (x))
f (2)
Substitute x = 2 and solve for f (x)
f g(x)
Substitute x = g (x)
f −1 (x)
Let y = f (x) and make x the subject
Gradient = speed
1.12. Speed-Time Graphs
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CAIE IGCSE
Mathematics
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