IGCSE

IGCSE Mathematics

Learn About The Subject

IGCSE Mathematics (with two level options: Core and Extended) develops essential mathematical knowledge and skills for everyday life and provides a foundation for higher-level studies. The course helps students work confidently with Number, Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics, while emphasizing problem-solving skills and logical thinking. The Extended level is designed for students with greater mathematical ability, preparing them for more advanced Mathematics programs.

Common Challenges When Learning IGCSE Mathematics

Difficulty with Algebra & Formulas: Needing to accurately apply rules of algebraic manipulation and correctly select and apply formulas for various problem types.
Challenge in Geometry & Trigonometry: Requiring a clear understanding and application of geometrical theorems and trigonometric relationships in spatial and coordinate problems.
Requirement for Probability & Statistics: Needing to correctly interpret complex probability concepts and the ability to effectively analyze and present statistical data.
Pressure of diverse problem-solving: Requiring the ability to identify problem types, select the correct method, and perform logical solution steps for a variety of integrated problems.

Course Content

Unit 1: Number

1.1: Identify and use natural numbers, integers (positive, negative and zero), prime numbers, square and cube numbers, common factors and common multiples, rational and irrational numbers (e.g. π,2), real numbers, reciprocals

1.2: Use language, notation and Venn diagrams to describe sets and represent relationships between sets

1.3: Calculate with squares, square roots, cubes and cube roots and other powers and roots of numbers

1.4: Use directed numbers in practical situations

1.5: Use the language and notation of simple vulgar and decimal fractions and percentages in appropriate contexts. Recognise equivalence and convert between these forms

1.6: Order quantities by magnitude and demonstrate familiarity with the symbols =,=,≥,≤

1.7: Understand the meaning of indices (fractional, negative and zero) and use the rules of indices

1.8: Use the four rules for calculations with whole numbers, decimals and fractions (including mixed numbers and improper fractions), including correct ordering of operations and use of brackets

1.9: Make estimates of numbers, quantities and lengths, give approximations to specified numbers of significant figures and decimal places and round off answers to reasonable accuracy in the context of a given problem

1.10: Give appropriate upper and lower bounds for data given to a specified accuracy. Obtain appropriate upper and lower bounds to solutions of simple problems given data to a specified accuracy

1.11: Demonstrate an understanding of ratio and proportion. Increase and decrease a quantity by a given ratio. Calculate average speed. Use common measures of rate

1.12: Calculate a given percentage of a quantity. Express one quantity as a percentage of another. Calculate percentage increase or decrease. Carry out calculations involving reverse percentages

1.13: Use a calculator efficiently. Apply appropriate checks of accuracy

1.14: Calculate times in terms of the 24-hour and 12-hour clock. Read clocks, dials and timetables

1.15: Calculate using money and convert from one currency to another

1.16: Use given data to solve problems on personal and household finance involving earnings, simple interest and compound interest. Extract data from tables and charts

1.17: Use exponential growth and decay in relation to population and finance (Extended only)

Unit 2: Algebra and graphs

2.1: Use letters to express generalised numbers and express basic arithmetic processes algebraically. Substitute numbers for words and letters in formulae. Rearrange simple formulae. Construct simple expressions and set up simple equations

2.2: Manipulate directed numbers. Use brackets and extract common factors. Expand products of algebraic expressions

2.3: Manipulate algebraic fractions. Factorise and simplify rational expressions (Extended only)

2.4: Use and interpret positive, negative and zero indices. Use the rules of indices

2.5: Derive and solve simple linear equations in one unknown. Derive and solve simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns

2.6: Represent inequalities graphically and use this representation to solve simple linear programming problems (Extended only)

2.7: Continue a given number sequence. Recognise patterns in sequences including the term to term rule and relationships between different sequences

2.8: Express direct and inverse proportion in algebraic terms and use this form of expression to find unknown quantities (Extended only)

2.9: Use function notation, e.g. f(x)=3x–5, f:x↦3x–5, to describe simple functions. Find inverse functions f−1(x). Form composite functions as defined by gf(x)=g(f(x)) (Extended only)

2.10: Interpret and use graphs in practical situations including travel graphs and conversion graphs. Draw graphs from given data

2.11: Construct tables of values for functions of the form ax+b, ±x2+ax+b, xa (x=0), where a and b are integer constants. Draw and interpret these graphs. Solve linear and quadratic equations approximately, including finding and interpreting roots by graphical methods. Recognise, sketch and interpret graphs of functions

2.12: Estimate gradients of curves by drawing tangents (Extended only)

2.13: Understand the idea of a derived function. Use the derivatives of functions of the form axn, and simple sums of not more than three of these. Apply differentiation to gradients and turning points (stationary points). Discriminate between maxima and minima by any method (Extended only)

Unit 3: Coordinate geometry

3.1: Demonstrate familiarity with Cartesian coordinates in two dimensions

3.2: Find the gradient of a straight line

3.3: Calculate the length and the coordinates of the midpoint of a straight line from the coordinates of its end points (Extended only)

3.4: Interpret and obtain the equation of a straight line graph in the form y=mx+c

3.5: Determine the equation of a straight line parallel to a given line

Unit 4: Geometry

4.1: Use and interpret the geometrical terms: point, line, parallel, bearing, right angle, acute, obtuse and reflex angles, perpendicular, similarity and congruence. Use and interpret vocabulary of triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, polygons and simple solid figures including nets

4.2: Measure and draw lines and angles. Construct a triangle given the three sides using a ruler and a pair of compasses only

4.3: Read and make scale drawings

4.4: Calculate lengths of similar figures

4.5: Recognise congruent shapes

4.6: Recognise rotational and line symmetry (including order of rotational symmetry) in two dimensions

4.7: Calculate unknown angles using the geometrical properties

Unit 5: Mensuration

5.1: Use current units of mass, length, area, volume and capacity in practical situations and express quantities in terms of larger or smaller units

5.2: Carry out calculations involving the perimeter and area of a rectangle, triangle, parallelogram and trapezium and compound shapes derived from these

5.3: Carry out calculations involving the circumference and area of a circle. Solve simple problems involving the arc length and sector area as fractions of the circumference and area of a circle

5.4: Carry out calculations involving the surface area and volume of a cuboid, prism and cylinder. Carry out calculations involving the surface area and volume of a sphere, pyramid and cone

5.5: Carry out calculations involving the areas and volumes of compound shapes

Unit 6: Trigonometry

6.1: Interpret and use three-figure bearings

6.2: Apply Pythagoras’ theorem and the sine, cosine and tangent ratios for acute angles to the calculation of a side or of an angle of a right-angled triangle

6.3: Recognise, sketch and interpret graphs of simple trigonometric functions. Graph and know the properties of trigonometric functions. Solve simple trigonometric equations for values between 0∘ and 360∘ (Extended only)

6.4: Solve problems using the sine and cosine rules for any triangle and the formula area of triangle =21absinC (Extended only)

6.5: Solve simple trigonometrical problems in three dimensions including angle between a line and a plane (Extended only)

Unit 7: Vectors and transformations

7.1: Describe a translation by using a vector represented by e.g. (xy), AB or a. Add and subtract vectors. Multiply a vector by a scalar.

7.2: Reflect simple plane figures in horizontal or vertical lines. Rotate simple plane figures about the origin, vertices or midpoints of edges of the figures, through multiples of 90∘. Construct given translations and enlargements of simple plane figures. Recognise and describe reflections, rotations, translations and enlargements

7.3: Calculate the magnitude of a vector. Represent vectors by directed line segments. Use the sum and difference of two vectors to express given vectors in terms of two coplanar vectors. Use position vectors (Extended only)

Unit 8: Probability

8.1: Calculate the probability of a single event as either a fraction, decimal or percentage

8.2: Understand and use the probability scale from 0 to 1

8.3: Understand that the probability of an event occurring = 1 – the probability of the event not occurring

8.4: Understand relative frequency as an estimate of probability. Expected frequency of occurrences

8.5: Calculate the probability of simple combined events, using possibility diagrams, tree diagrams and Venn diagrams

8.6: Calculate conditional probability using Venn diagrams, tree diagrams and tables

8.7: Read, interpret and draw simple inferences from tables and statistical diagrams (Extended only)

Unit 9: Statistics

9.1: Compare sets of data using tables, graphs and statistical measures

9.2: Appreciate restrictions on drawing conclusions from given data

9.3: Construct and interpret bar charts, pie charts, pictograms, stem-and-leaf diagrams, simple frequency distributions, histograms with equal intervals and scatter diagrams

9.4: Calculate the mean, median, mode and range for individual and discrete data and distinguish between the purposes for which they are used

9.5: Calculate an estimate of the mean for grouped and continuous data. Identify the modal class from a grouped frequency distribution (Extended only)

9.6: Construct and use cumulative frequency diagrams. Estimate and interpret the median, percentiles, quartiles and interquartile range. Construct and interpret box-and-whisker plots (Extended only)

9.7: Understand what is meant by positive, negative and zero correlation with reference to a scatter diagram

9.8: Draw, interpret and use lines of best fit by eye

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IGCSE Mathematics

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About

IGCSE Mathematics

What is the fundamental difference between IGCSE Mathematics Core and Extended?

The Core curriculum provides foundational mathematical knowledge, focusing on skills necessary for everyday life and some professions not requiring specialized Mathematics. The grade scale is typically limited (e.g., from C to G or 4 to 1). The Extended curriculum includes all Core content but at a greater depth, while also adding more difficult and complex topics. Extended is the necessary foundation for studying Mathematics at higher levels (Add Maths, IB, A-Level) and allows students to achieve higher grades (e.g., A* or 9).

Should students opt for Core or Extended?

The choice depends on the student's current mathematical ability and future orientation. If a student has fair to good mathematical ability and/or intends to pursue majors or programs (like IB, A-Level) requiring a strong mathematical foundation, Extended should be chosen. If a student faces significant difficulties with Mathematics or does not intend to study fields heavily related to Mathematics, Core might be a more suitable option to ensure certification.

Are calculators allowed in IGCSE Mathematics exams?

Yes, the use of a scientific calculator is generally permitted and very necessary in most IGCSE Mathematics papers (both Core and Extended), except for some specific papers or sections that may require non-calculator computation, depending on the specific regulations of each examination board.

What is the usual examination format for IGCSE Mathematics?

The examination usually consists of multiple written papers. For example, for Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580), the Extended level typically has Paper 2 (multiple-choice or short-answer questions, possibly non-calculator) and Paper 4 (longer structured questions requiring detailed solutions, calculator allowed). The Core level also has corresponding papers (Paper 1 and Paper 3) but with lower demand.

Is completing IGCSE Mathematics Extended sufficient qualification for IB Math or A-Level Math?

Achieving a good result in IGCSE Mathematics Extended is a minimum and necessary foundational requirement to be able to study Mathematics programs at the IB (especially Math AI SL/HL or Math AA SL) and A-Level Mathematics. However, to study the most difficult Mathematics programs like IB Math AA HL or A-Level Further Mathematics, students are often encouraged or required to also take IGCSE Additional Mathematics.

Does Intertu Education offer trial classes for IGCSE Mathematics?

Yes. Intertu Education offers Trial Classes for IGCSE Mathematics (for both Core and Extended levels). This is an excellent opportunity for you and your parents to directly experience our teaching methods, meet the teacher, and assess suitability before deciding to enroll in a full course. Please contact our counseling department for more information.

How is the tuition fee for the IGCSE Mathematics course at Intertu calculated?

The tuition fee for IGCSE Mathematics at Intertu Education depends on the level of study (Core or Extended), the study hour package, and the level of support service (Standard, Premium, Platinum) that parents choose, to best meet specific learning needs and goals. To receive a detailed fee schedule and advice on the most suitable study package, please contact Intertu's counseling team directly.

IGCSE

IGCSE Mathematics

Learn About The Subject

Common Challenges When Learning IGCSE Mathematics

Course Content

Register For A Consultation With Our Experts

Personalized Learning Approach

Academic Pathway

Competency Assessment

Set Learning Objectives

Create A Learning Path

Implement And Optimize

MEET THE TEACHING TEAM

Dedicated Team Of Teachers Ready To Support Your Learning Journey

Tuan Nguyen

Duy Nguyen

Thuy Nguyen

Tra Nguyen

Tin Nguyen

Hieu Pham

Uyen Vu

Carolina Rondon

Choosing the right study package

Find The Optimal Academic Support Solution For You

Learn About Another Subject

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About

IGCSE Mathematics

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