IGCSE Additional Mathematics formula sheet 2026: What is given and what you must memorise
Every year, students sitting the Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics exam make the same critical error. They walk into the exam hall believing that the formula sheet printed at the front of their paper will carry them through the hardest sections. It will not. Understanding exactly what that sheet contains, and what it leaves entirely blank, is one of the most strategically important steps any 0606 candidate can take.
This guide breaks down the complete picture: The official formulas Cambridge provides, the formulas you must commit to memory, and a practical system for making sure nothing slips through the cracks on exam day.
- Does IGCSE Additional Mathematics provide a formula sheet in the exam?
- Formulas that Cambridge provides in the IGCSE Additional Mathematics exam paper
- Formulas you must memorise for IGCSE Additional Mathematics that are not given
- Topic-by-topic formula checklist for IGCSE Additional Mathematics students
- How to create your own IGCSE Additional Mathematics formula revision sheet
- Active recall techniques for memorising IGCSE Additional Mathematics formulas
- Frequently asked questions
Does IGCSE Additional Mathematics provide a formula sheet in the exam?
Yes, Cambridge does print a formula page at the front of both Paper 1 and Paper 2 for the IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606) [1] syllabus. This is a mandatory, fixed page that every candidate receives, and it covers a limited selection of algebra and trigonometry formulas.
The critical point, and one that draws on years of experience at Times Edu working with Add Maths students across multiple exam seasons, is that this sheet is far shorter than most students expect. It is not a comprehensive Cambridge formula booklet for Additional Maths. It is a narrow reference covering only a few specific cases.
The dangerous assumption is treating it as a safety net for the entire paper. Topics including all of calculus, coordinate geometry, logarithm laws, and circular measure receive zero coverage on the given formulas 0606 sheet. Students who discover this in the exam room have already lost critical time.
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Formulas that Cambridge provides in the IGCSE Additional Mathematics exam paper
The official IGCSE Add Maths formula sheet is divided into two sections: Algebra and Trigonometry. Below is an exact breakdown of every formula printed on the Cambridge 0606 formula page.
Algebra
Quadratic Equation
For the equation ax² + bx + c = 0, the roots are given by:
X = (-b ± √(b² – 4ac)) / 2a
Binomial Series
The binomial theorem formula for Add Maths is written as:
(A + b)ⁿ = aⁿ + C(n,1)aⁿ⁻¹b + C(n,2)aⁿ⁻²b² + … + C(n,r)aⁿ⁻ʳbʳ + … + bⁿ
Where n is a positive integer and C(n,r) = n! / (r!(n-r)!) = n(n-1)…(n-r+1) / r!
Arithmetic Series
The nth term: Uₙ = a + (n-1)d
The sum of the first n terms: Sₙ = (1/2)n(a + l) = (1/2)n[2a + (n-1)d]
Geometric Series
The nth term: Uₙ = arⁿ⁻¹
The sum of the first n terms: Sₙ = a(1 – Rⁿ) / (1 – R), where r ≠ 1
The sum to infinity: S∞ = a / (1 – R), valid only when |r| < 1
Trigonometry
Identities provided on the sheet:
- Sin²A + cos²A = 1
- Sec²A = 1 + tan²A
- Cosec²A = 1 + cot²A
Formulas for triangle ABC:
- Sine Rule: A/sin A = b/sin B = c/sin C
- Cosine Rule: A² = b² + c² – 2bc cos A
- Area of a Triangle: Delta = (1/2)ab sin C
That is the complete formula list for Add Maths as printed by Cambridge. If a formula is not in the table above, it will not appear on your exam paper.
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Formulas you must memorise for IGCSE Additional Mathematics that are not given
This is where the real examination challenge lies. A common mistake we see at Times Edu is students who revise the subject content thoroughly but assume that key working formulas will be provided. They are not.
The following categories are entirely absent from the IGCSE Additional Mathematics formula sheet. Every formula listed below must be committed to memory through active revision.
Calculus formulas for IGCSE (not provided)
Calculus is one of the highest-mark topics in the 0606 paper, and yet the Cambridge formula booklet for Additional Maths provides nothing for this topic. Students must know:
- Product Rule: D/dx(uv) = u(dv/dx) + v(du/dx)
- Quotient Rule: D/dx(u/v) = [v(du/dx) – U(dv/dx)] / v²
- Chain Rule: Dy/dx = (dy/du) × (du/dx)
- Integration as the reverse of differentiation, including standard integrals for xⁿ, sin x, cos x, eˣ, and 1/x
One critical detail often overlooked is that candidates who confuse the numerator order in the Quotient Rule will consistently produce wrong answers. The structure is “v times the derivative of u” subtracted from “u times the derivative of v,” not the other way around.
Circular measure formulas (not provided)
- Arc Length: S = rθ
- Area of a Sector: A = (1/2)r²θ
Both formulas require θ to be expressed in radians. This is a syllabus-specific trap: Students who work in degrees without converting will lose full method marks.
Coordinate geometry formulas (not provided)
- Midpoint: M = ((x₁ + x₂)/2, (y₁ + y₂)/2)
- Distance Formula: D = √((x₂ – X₁)² + (y₂ – Y₁)²)
- Condition for perpendicular lines: M₁ × m₂ = -1
Logarithm laws for IGCSE (not provided)
The logarithm laws IGCSE students must memorise include:
- Log(xy) = log x + log y
- Log(x/y) = log x – Log y
- Log(xⁿ) = n log x
- Change of Base: Logₐb = log b / log a
In our experience working with international students preparing for Cambridge 0606, logarithm questions are frequently dropped not because students cannot apply the laws but because they misremember the change-of-base direction under exam pressure.
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Topic-by-topic formula checklist for IGCSE Additional Mathematics students
The table below organises every major topic area and shows at a glance whether formulas are provided on the exam paper or must be memorised. Use this as a master reference during your formula revision for 0606.
| Topic | Key Formulas Required | Provided on Sheet? |
|---|---|---|
| Quadratic equations | Quadratic formula | Yes |
| Binomial expansion | Binomial theorem, C(n,r) | Yes |
| Arithmetic sequences | nth term, Sₙ | Yes |
| Geometric sequences | nth term, Sₙ, S∞ | Yes |
| Trigonometric identities | sin²A + cos²A = 1, sec²A, cosec²A | Yes |
| Sine and Cosine Rule | Full sine rule, cosine rule, area formula | Yes |
| Circular measure | Arc length, sector area | No |
| Differentiation | Product, quotient, chain rule | No |
| Integration | Standard integrals, area under curve | No |
| Coordinate geometry | Midpoint, distance, perpendicular gradients | No |
| Logarithms and exponentials | All log laws, change of base | No |
| Functions | Domain, range, inverse, composite | No |
| Modulus functions | Graphical and algebraic treatment | No |
| Permutations and combinations | nPr and nCr definitions | No (beyond C(n,r) on sheet) |
Reading this table carefully gives students a structured picture of where examination risk is concentrated. The bottom half of the table is where most marks are lost.
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How to create your own IGCSE Additional Mathematics formula revision sheet
Rather than working from generic study resources, every 0606 student should build a personalised formula revision sheet that goes beyond what Cambridge provides. Drawing on years of experience at Times Edu developing study frameworks for international curriculum students, the process below consistently produces better retention outcomes.
Step 1: Start with the official sheet as your baseline.
Print or write out the Cambridge 0606 given formulas exactly as they appear on the exam paper. Familiarity with their exact layout reduces cognitive load on exam day.
Step 2: Add every “not provided” formula by topic.
Work through the checklist table above. Write each formula clearly, including the conditions that apply, such as |r| < 1 for the geometric sum to infinity, or θ in radians for circular measure.
Step 3: Write worked examples alongside each formula.
A formula written in isolation is significantly harder to retrieve under pressure than a formula attached to a concrete example. Write one simple application next to each entry.
Step 4: Colour-code by topic.
Use consistent colour coding across your revision sheet and your exercise book. When you see a problem involving logarithms, your brain associates the colour immediately with the law set you need.
Step 5: Review and reduce weekly.
Start with a full page. Each week, remove formulas you can write from memory without hesitation. By the two weeks before your exam, your sheet should contain only the formulas your brain still needs external support to recall.
>>> Read more: IGCSE Additional Maths Study Plan 2026: A Week-by-Week Schedule for Tough Topics
Active recall techniques for memorising IGCSE Additional Mathematics formulas
Passive reading of a formula list is one of the least efficient revision methods available. The following techniques, all grounded in cognitive science and refined through our work with IGCSE Add Maths students at Times Edu, produce measurably better results.
Flashcards with conditions, not just formulas.
Write the formula name on the front of a card. On the back, write the formula and the conditions under which it applies. For example, the back of a “Geometric Sum to Infinity” card should state both S∞ = a/(1-r) and the requirement that |r| < 1.
Spaced repetition scheduling.
Use a system where formulas you recall correctly are reviewed less frequently and formulas you hesitate on are reviewed more often. Physical card sets or apps such as Anki both support this model effectively.
Timed formula writing drills.
Set a five-minute timer and write out every formula from a given topic from memory. This simulates exam conditions and forces active retrieval rather than recognition. Recognition is not the same skill as recall.
Error analysis after practice papers.
Every time you lose marks on a practice paper due to a formula error, add that specific formula to a dedicated “weak list.” Review this list every morning during the final month of preparation. This targets your individual gaps rather than general content.
Teaching the formula aloud.
Explaining a formula, its derivation if you know it, and its application to a simulated student is one of the strongest memory consolidation techniques available. You do not need a real audience. Speaking it aloud is sufficient.
>>> Read more: IGCSE Tutor 2026: How to Choose the Right One
Frequently asked questions
Does Cambridge provide a formula sheet in the IGCSE Additional Mathematics exam?
Yes. Cambridge prints a formula page at the front of both Paper 1 and Paper 2. It covers selected algebra and trigonometry formulas only. It does not cover calculus, coordinate geometry, logarithm laws, or circular measure.
Which formulas are printed on the IGCSE Additional Mathematics exam paper?
The official Cambridge 0606 formulas provided include the quadratic formula, the binomial theorem, arithmetic and geometric series formulas, three trigonometric identities (sin²A + cos²A = 1, sec²A = 1 + tan²A, cosec²A = 1 + cot²A), the sine rule, the cosine rule, and the area of a triangle formula.
Which calculus formulas must you memorise for IGCSE Additional Mathematics?
The calculus formulas IGCSE candidates must memorise include the product rule, the quotient rule, the chain rule, and standard integration results for xⁿ, sin x, cos x, eˣ, and 1/x. None of these appear on the formula sheet.
How many formulas do you need to know for IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606?
There is no officially published count, but students working with the full Cambridge 0606 syllabus should be comfortable with roughly 40 to 50 distinct formulas and results. Approximately one-third of these are provided on the exam sheet; the remaining two-thirds must be memorised independently.
What is the best way to memorise trigonometric identities for IGCSE Additional Mathematics?
The trig identities to memorise for 0606 go beyond what is provided on the sheet. Students should use spaced repetition flashcards, practise deriving identities from first principles where possible, and apply them repeatedly in proof and equation-solving questions from past papers. Passive reading of a formula list does not produce reliable recall under exam conditions.
Are logarithm laws provided or must you memorise them in IGCSE Additional Mathematics?
The logarithm laws are not provided on the IGCSE Additional Mathematics formula sheet. All four core laws, including the change-of-base formula, must be memorised. This is a consistent source of marks lost in the 0606 paper.
Where can I find a complete formula list for IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606?
The Cambridge syllabus document and past paper insert pages show the official given formulas. For a complete formula list covering all topics, including those not provided in the exam, the most reliable approach is to compile your own sheet systematically from the syllabus content areas, using the topic-by-topic checklist structure provided in this guide.
Conclusion
At Times Edu, we have supported IGCSE Additional Mathematics students since 2018 across every major exam season, and the students who perform most consistently are those who approach formula revision as a structured, ongoing process rather than a last-minute checklist. If you want a personalised academic roadmap that addresses your specific formula gaps, curriculum strengths, and long-term study-abroad goals, our consultants are available for one-on-one sessions designed around your exact Cambridge 0606 needs.
