Mathematics

Mathematics — IGCSE

British Curriculum · Cambridge Assessment International Education · Years 10-11 · Ages 14-16

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) is the most widely taught maths qualification in British-curriculum international schools. It is examined at two tiers — Core, graded C to G, and Extended, graded A* to E — and the tier decision is made during Year 10, so it matters early.

Extended tier is the one required for progression to A Level Mathematics and for most competitive university routes. It covers algebra including quadratics and simultaneous equations, functions, coordinate geometry, trigonometry with the sine and cosine rules, vectors, transformations, probability and statistics.

There is no coursework: everything rests on two written papers, one of which is non-calculator on some routes. Marks are most often lost to algebraic slips and to not showing method, both of which respond quickly to structured one-to-one practice.

Key topics covered

• Number — Standard form, surds, ratio, percentages, bounds and financial arithmetic.
• Algebra — Expanding, factorising, quadratics, simultaneous equations and rearranging formulae.
• Functions & Graphs — Linear, quadratic, reciprocal and exponential graphs, and function notation.
• Coordinate Geometry — Gradient, midpoint, distance and the equation of a straight line.
• Trigonometry — Right-angled triangles, sine and cosine rules, area of a triangle and 3D problems.
• Geometry & Vectors — Circle theorems, similarity, congruence, transformations and vectors.
• Probability & Statistics — Tree diagrams, cumulative frequency, histograms and averages from grouped data.