IGCSE Practice

Cambridge IGCSE·Mathematics 0580·Core Inequalities
📋Key knowledge — Algebra

Formulas & equations

  • Quadratic formula: x = (−b ± √(b²−4ac)) ÷ 2a
  • Difference of two squares: a² − b² = (a+b)(a−b)
  • Completing the square: ax² + bx + c = a(x + b/2a)² + (c − b²/4a)
  • Sum of arithmetic sequence: Sₙ = n/2 × (first + last) = n/2 × (2a + (n−1)d)
  • nth term of AP: aₙ = a + (n−1)d
  • nth term of GP: aₙ = arⁿ⁻¹

Key facts & rules

  • To solve a quadratic: factorise, complete the square, or use the formula.
  • To solve simultaneous equations: elimination (add/subtract to remove one variable) or substitution.
  • Inequalities: flip the sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative number.
  • Algebraic fractions: find common denominator, then add/subtract numerators.
  • Direct proportion: y = kx. Inverse proportion: y = k/x.

Laws & theorems

  • Factor theorem: if (x − a) is a factor of f(x), then f(a) = 0.

IGCSE Algebra — Inequalities Practice Core

7 Cambridge IGCSE 0580 questions on inequalities at the Core tier — each with its full mark scheme. For the Extended tier on the same skill, click here.

How to approach inequalities — open the study guide

Inequalities on IGCSE 0580

Practice with past paper questions on inequalities at the Core tier.

Practice exercises

Exercise 1 — Cambridge IGCSE 0580 Mar 2025 Paper 12 Q19

Cambridge past paper 0 marks Paper 12 Mar 2025
IGCSE 0580 Mar 2025 Paper 12 Question 19 — Inequalities (Core, 0 marks)
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Mark scheme for IGCSE 0580 Mar 2025 Paper 12 Q19

Exercise 2 — Cambridge IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 12 Q19

Cambridge past paper 0 marks Paper 12 Jun 2025
IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 12 Question 19 — Inequalities (Core, 0 marks)
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Mark scheme for IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 12 Q19

Exercise 3 — Cambridge IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 13 Q15

Cambridge past paper 0 marks Paper 13 Jun 2025
IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 13 Question 15 — Inequalities (Core, 0 marks)
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Mark scheme for IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 13 Q15

Exercise 4 — Cambridge IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 31 Q9

Cambridge past paper 0 marks Paper 31 Jun 2025
IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 31 Question 9 — Inequalities (Core, 0 marks)
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Mark scheme for IGCSE 0580 Jun 2025 Paper 31 Q9

Exercise 5 — Cambridge IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 13 Q13

Cambridge past paper 0 marks Paper 13 Nov 2025
IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 13 Question 13 — Inequalities (Core, 0 marks)
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Mark scheme for IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 13 Q13

Exercise 6 — Cambridge IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 32 Q3

Cambridge past paper 0 marks Paper 32 Nov 2025
IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 32 Question 3 — Inequalities (Core, 0 marks)
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Mark scheme for IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 32 Q3

Exercise 7 — Cambridge IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 32 Q17

Cambridge past paper 0 marks Paper 32 Nov 2025
IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 32 Question 17 — Inequalities (Core, 0 marks)
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Mark scheme for IGCSE 0580 Nov 2025 Paper 32 Q17

Other Algebra subtopics