GCSE Mathematics Topics

77 topics with worked solutions.

3D Pythagoras and Trigonometry

Applying Pythagoras and trigonometry inside 3D shapes.

Algebraic Fractions

Simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing algebraic fractions.

Algebraic Proof

Constructing algebraic proofs about odd, even and consecutive numbers and divisibility.

Angle Basics

Angles on a line, around a point and vertically opposite angles.

Angles in Parallel Lines

Alternate, corresponding and co-interior angles with reasons.

Angles in Polygons

Interior and exterior angles of regular and irregular polygons.

Averages and Range

Mean, median, mode and range from lists and frequency tables.

Basic Probability

Probability scales, calculating simple probabilities and mutually exclusive events.

Bearings

Measuring, drawing and calculating three-figure bearings, often with trigonometry.

Best Buys and Value for Money

Comparing prices and pack sizes to decide the best value option.

BIDMAS and Order of Operations

Applying the correct order of operations in calculations.

Box Plots

Drawing and comparing box plots using medians and quartiles.

Charts and Graphs

Bar charts, pictograms, line graphs and frequency polygons.

Circle Theorems

Applying circle theorems with correct reasons to find missing angles.

Circles, Sectors and Arcs

Circumference and area of circles, arc lengths and sector areas.

Completing the Square

Writing quadratics in completed square form and using it to solve equations and find turning points.

Composite and Inverse Functions

Forming composite functions and finding inverse functions.

Compound Interest

Calculating compound interest and repeated percentage change using multipliers.

Compound Measures

Working with rates such as speed, density and pressure and converting units.

Conditional Probability

Calculating probabilities that depend on previous outcomes.

Congruent Triangles

Conditions for congruence and simple congruence proofs.

Constructions and Loci

Ruler and compass constructions and locus problems.

Cubic and Reciprocal Graphs

Recognising and sketching cubic, reciprocal and exponential graphs.

Cumulative Frequency

Cumulative frequency curves, medians and interquartile range.

Decimals

Calculating with decimals and converting between decimals and fractions, including recurring decimals.

Density, Mass and Volume

Using the density formula and solving problems involving mass and volume.

Direct and Inverse Proportion

Setting up and using equations for quantities in direct or inverse proportion.

Error Intervals

Finding upper and lower bounds of rounded values and writing error intervals with inequalities.

Exact Trigonometric Values

Knowing and using the exact trig values for 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees.

Exchange Rates

Converting between currencies and solving money conversion problems.

Expanding Brackets

Expanding single, double and triple brackets.

Factorising

Factorising into single brackets, quadratics and the difference of two squares.

Factors, Multiples and Primes

Prime factorisation, factors and multiples, and using product of primes.

Fractions

Simplifying, ordering and calculating with fractions, including mixed numbers.

Fractions, Decimals and Percentages

Converting fluently between fractions, decimals and percentages and comparing proportions.

Functions

Function notation, evaluating functions and solving equations involving functions.

Growth and Decay

Exponential growth and decay problems including depreciation.

HCF and LCM

Finding highest common factors and lowest common multiples, including from prime factorisations.

Histograms

Frequency density, drawing histograms and interpreting unequal class widths.

Indices

Laws of indices including negative and fractional powers.

Inequalities

Solving linear and quadratic inequalities and representing solutions on number lines and graphs.

Iteration

Using iterative formulae to find approximate solutions to equations.

Linear Equations

Solving linear equations including unknowns on both sides and equations with brackets or fractions.

Negative Numbers

Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with negative numbers.

Nth Term

Finding the nth term of linear and quadratic sequences.

Percentage Change

Calculating percentage increase, decrease, profit and loss.

Percentages

Finding percentages of amounts, percentage increase and decrease, and reverse percentages.

Perimeter and Area

Perimeter and area of rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, trapezia and compound shapes.

Pie Charts

Drawing and interpreting pie charts using angles and proportions.

Place Value

Understanding the value of digits in integers and decimals, and ordering numbers by size.

Plans and Elevations

Drawing and interpreting plans and elevations of 3D solids.

Probability Trees

Tree diagrams for independent and dependent events, with and without replacement.

Proportion

Solving problems involving proportional relationships, recipes and scaling.

Pythagoras' Theorem

Finding missing sides in right-angled triangles, including in 2D and 3D problems.

Quadratic Equations

Solving quadratics by factorising and interpreting the solutions.

Quadratic Graphs

Plotting and interpreting quadratic graphs, roots, intercepts and turning points.

Ratio

Simplifying ratios, sharing amounts in a given ratio and solving ratio problems.

Rearranging Formulae

Changing the subject of a formula, including where the subject appears twice.

Relative Frequency

Estimating probability from experiments and expected outcomes.

Rounding and Estimation

Rounding to decimal places and significant figures, and using estimates to check calculations.

Sampling

Random and stratified sampling and identifying bias.

Scatter Graphs

Correlation, lines of best fit and using them to estimate values.

Sequences

Recognising arithmetic, geometric, quadratic and Fibonacci-type sequences.

Similar Shapes

Length, area and volume scale factors for similar shapes.

Simplifying Expressions

Collecting like terms and simplifying algebraic expressions.

Simultaneous Equations

Solving linear and linear-quadratic simultaneous equations by elimination and substitution.

Sine and Cosine Rules

Using the sine rule, cosine rule and the area formula for non-right-angled triangles.

Speed, Distance and Time

Calculating speed, distance and time, including average speed and unit conversion.

Standard Form

Writing very large and very small numbers in standard form and calculating with them.

Straight Line Graphs

Gradient, intercepts and the equation y = mx + c, including parallel and perpendicular lines.

Surds

Simplifying surds, expanding brackets with surds and rationalising denominators.

The Quadratic Formula

Using the quadratic formula to solve equations that do not factorise.

Transformations

Reflections, rotations, translations and enlargements, including negative scale factors.

Trigonometry (SOHCAHTOA)

Using sine, cosine and tangent to find missing sides and angles in right-angled triangles.

Vectors

Vector notation, vector arithmetic and geometric vector proofs.

Venn Diagrams

Drawing Venn diagrams and using set notation to find probabilities.

Volume and Surface Area

Volume and surface area of prisms, cylinders, cones, pyramids and spheres.