National 5 Maths formulae list: what is given and what to learn

Both papers print a short formulae list: the quadratic formula, the sine rule, the cosine rule, the area of a triangle, the volumes of a sphere, a cone and a pyramid, and standard deviation. Everything else must be learned.

Algebra	The quadratic formula
Trigonometry	The sine rule, the cosine rule and area = ½ab sin C
Volumes	Sphere, cone and pyramid
Statistics	Standard deviation, in two forms

Results you must learn

Pythagoras' theorem, and the gradient formula m = (y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁).
Arc length and sector area as fractions of a circle.
The laws of indices and the discriminant conditions.

Try 2 questions

Question 1Paper 2 style · calculator

A ball is a sphere with diameter

8

cm. Find its volume, to 3 significant figures.

Question 2Paper 2 style · calculator

In triangle

ABC

, angle

A

= 48^\circ

, angle

B

= 75^\circ

and

BC

= 9

cm. Calculate the length of

AC

, to 1 decimal place.

Next step

Take the free test Start the arcs, sectors and volumes lesson

Questions people ask

Is Pythagoras' theorem on the formulae list?

No. It must be learned, along with the gradient formula and arc and sector fractions.

Is the volume of a cylinder given?

No. Only the sphere, cone and pyramid volumes are listed.