Syllabus
Cambridge IGCSE®
Mathematics 0580
For examination in June and November 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Also available for examination in March 2020, 2021 and 2022 for India only.
Version 1
,Why choose Cambridge?
Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed
curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of the University of Cambridge.
Our international qualifications are recognised by the world’s best universities and employers, giving students a
wide range of options in their education and career. As a not-for-profit organisation, we devote our resources to
delivering high-quality educational programmes that can unlock learners’ potential.
Our programmes and qualifications set the global standard for international education. They are created by subject
experts, rooted in academic rigour and reflect the latest educational research. They provide a strong platform for
learners to progress from one stage to the next, and are well supported by teaching and learning resources.
Our mission is to provide educational benefit through provision of international programmes and qualifications for
school education and to be the world leader in this field. Together with schools, we develop Cambridge learners
who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged – equipped for success in the modern world.
Every year, nearly a million Cambridge students from 10 000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future with
an international education from Cambridge International.
‘We think the Cambridge curriculum is superb preparation for university.’
Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University, USA
Quality management
Our systems for managing the provision of international qualifications and education programmes
for students aged 5 to 19 are certified as meeting the internationally recognised standard for
quality management, ISO 9001:2008. Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/ISO9001
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of
the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge.
UCLES retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for
internal use within a centre.
,Contents
1 Why choose this syllabus? ..................................................................................................... 2
2 Syllabus overview .................................................................................................................... 5
Aims 5
Content overview 6
Assessment overview 7
Assessment objectives 8
3 Subject content .......................................................................................................................10
4 Details of the assessment ................................................................................................... 36
Core assessment 36
Extended assessment 36
Command words 37
5 What else you need to know .............................................................................................. 38
Before you start 38
Making entries 39
After the exam 40
How students and teachers can use the grades 40
Grade descriptions 40
Changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022 41
Changes to this syllabus
For information about changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022, go to page 41.
, Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
1 Why choose this syllabus?
Key benefits
Cambridge IGCSE® syllabuses are created especially for international students. For over 25 years, we have worked
with schools and teachers worldwide to develop syllabuses that are suitable for different countries, different types
of schools and for learners with a wide range of abilities.
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics supports learners in building competency, confidence and fluency in their use of
techniques and mathematical understanding. This course helps learners to develop a feel for quantity, patterns and
relationships. Learners will develop their reasoning, problem-solving and analytical skills in a variety of abstract and
real-life contexts.
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics provides a strong foundation of mathematical knowledge both for candidates
studying mathematics at a higher level and those who will require mathematics to support skills in other subjects.
The course is tiered to allow all candidates to achieve and progress in their mathematical studies.
Our programmes balance a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills
learners need for their next steps in education or employment.
Our approach encourages learners to be:
Cambridge
learner
‘The strength of Cambridge IGCSE qualifications is internationally recognised and has provided
an international pathway for our students to continue their studies around the world.’
Gary Tan, Head of Schools and CEO, Raffles International Group of Schools, Indonesia
2 www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse Back to contents page
Cambridge IGCSE®
Mathematics 0580
For examination in June and November 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Also available for examination in March 2020, 2021 and 2022 for India only.
Version 1
,Why choose Cambridge?
Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed
curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of the University of Cambridge.
Our international qualifications are recognised by the world’s best universities and employers, giving students a
wide range of options in their education and career. As a not-for-profit organisation, we devote our resources to
delivering high-quality educational programmes that can unlock learners’ potential.
Our programmes and qualifications set the global standard for international education. They are created by subject
experts, rooted in academic rigour and reflect the latest educational research. They provide a strong platform for
learners to progress from one stage to the next, and are well supported by teaching and learning resources.
Our mission is to provide educational benefit through provision of international programmes and qualifications for
school education and to be the world leader in this field. Together with schools, we develop Cambridge learners
who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged – equipped for success in the modern world.
Every year, nearly a million Cambridge students from 10 000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future with
an international education from Cambridge International.
‘We think the Cambridge curriculum is superb preparation for university.’
Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University, USA
Quality management
Our systems for managing the provision of international qualifications and education programmes
for students aged 5 to 19 are certified as meeting the internationally recognised standard for
quality management, ISO 9001:2008. Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/ISO9001
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of
the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge.
UCLES retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for
internal use within a centre.
,Contents
1 Why choose this syllabus? ..................................................................................................... 2
2 Syllabus overview .................................................................................................................... 5
Aims 5
Content overview 6
Assessment overview 7
Assessment objectives 8
3 Subject content .......................................................................................................................10
4 Details of the assessment ................................................................................................... 36
Core assessment 36
Extended assessment 36
Command words 37
5 What else you need to know .............................................................................................. 38
Before you start 38
Making entries 39
After the exam 40
How students and teachers can use the grades 40
Grade descriptions 40
Changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022 41
Changes to this syllabus
For information about changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022, go to page 41.
, Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics 0580 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
1 Why choose this syllabus?
Key benefits
Cambridge IGCSE® syllabuses are created especially for international students. For over 25 years, we have worked
with schools and teachers worldwide to develop syllabuses that are suitable for different countries, different types
of schools and for learners with a wide range of abilities.
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics supports learners in building competency, confidence and fluency in their use of
techniques and mathematical understanding. This course helps learners to develop a feel for quantity, patterns and
relationships. Learners will develop their reasoning, problem-solving and analytical skills in a variety of abstract and
real-life contexts.
Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics provides a strong foundation of mathematical knowledge both for candidates
studying mathematics at a higher level and those who will require mathematics to support skills in other subjects.
The course is tiered to allow all candidates to achieve and progress in their mathematical studies.
Our programmes balance a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills
learners need for their next steps in education or employment.
Our approach encourages learners to be:
Cambridge
learner
‘The strength of Cambridge IGCSE qualifications is internationally recognised and has provided
an international pathway for our students to continue their studies around the world.’
Gary Tan, Head of Schools and CEO, Raffles International Group of Schools, Indonesia
2 www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse Back to contents page
