IGCSE Maths Past Paper Solutions: 0580/02 Specimen Paper 2025 (Paper 2 Extended Non-calculator)
Full worked solutions and answers to the Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) Paper 2 Extended Specimen Paper for examination from 2025 (0580/02/SP/25). All 26 questions are solved step by step without a calculator, every diagram is redrawn so you can follow along, and every answer has been checked against the question paper. Try each question first, then open “Show solution” to compare your working.
Paper 2 is the non-calculator half of the 2025 Extended route: you sit it alongside Paper 4 (Extended, calculator). If you are taking the Core route, see the Paper 1 specimen solutions and Paper 3 specimen solutions.
Question-by-question topic map
Jump to any question, or use the topic links to revise the notes behind it.
| Q | Topic | Marks | Revise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squaring a decimal | 1 | Fractions & decimals |
| 2 | Significant figures | 1 | Estimation & accuracy |
| 3 | Exchange rates | 1 | Time & money |
| 4 | Isosceles triangle angles | 2 | Angle properties |
| 5 | Converting area units | 1 | Units & area |
| 6 | Density | 2 | Rates |
| 7 | Column vectors, magnitude | 4 | Vectors |
| 8 | Perimeter of a semicircle (exact) | 3 | Circles |
| 9 | Decreasing linear sequence | 3 | Sequences |
| 10 | Adding mixed numbers | 3 | Fractions |
| 11 | Fractional indices | 2 | Indices |
| 12 | Standard form | 4 | Standard form |
| 13 | Regular polygon angles | 2 | Angle properties |
| 14 | Range, mode, median, mean | 4 | Averages & range |
| 15 | Describing a rotation | 3 | Transformations |
| 16 | Cumulative frequency & histograms | 10 | Cumulative frequency |
| 17 | Cyclic quadrilateral, similar triangles | 5 | Circle theorems |
| 18 | Composite and inverse functions | 9 | Functions |
| 19 | Surds, rationalising | 4 | Indices & surds |
| 20 | Inverse proportion | 3 | Proportion |
| 21 | Forming and solving a quadratic | 9 | Quadratic equations |
| 22 | Exact trig values | 4 | Exact trig values |
| 23 | Algebraic fractions | 3 | Algebraic fractions |
| 24 | Completing the square, turning point | 3 | Quadratics |
| 25 | Area of similar shapes | 3 | Similarity |
| 26 | Cubic sketch, tangent by differentiation | 11 | Sketching curves · Differentiation |
0580/02 Specimen 2025 Worked Solutions
Question 1 — Work out (0.01)²
Work out (0.01)².
Show solution
0.01 × 0.01: 1 × 1 = 1, and there are 2 + 2 = 4 decimal places, so the answer is 0.0001
Question 2 — Rounding 57.3997 to 4 significant figures
Write 57.3997 correct to 4 significant figures.
Show solution
The first 4 significant figures are 5, 7, 3, 9. The next digit is 9, so round the 4th figure up. 57.39 + 0.01 = 57.40, so the answer is 57.40
Question 3 — Converting euros to dollars
Aimee changes 250 euros into dollars. The exchange rate is 1 euro = $1.10. Calculate the number of dollars Aimee receives.
Show solution
250 × 1.10 = 250 + 25 = $275
Question 4 — Angles in an isosceles triangle split into two triangles
The diagram shows two triangles, ABD and ADC.
BDC is a straight line, AB = AC, angle ABD = 61° and angle ADC = 81°. Work out angle DAC.
Show solution
AB = AC, so triangle ABC is isosceles and its base angles are equal: angle ACD = angle ABD = 61°.
Angles in triangle ADC add to 180°: angle DAC = 180 − 81 − 61 = 38°
Question 5 — Converting 0.17 m² to cm²
Convert 0.17 m² into cm².
Show solution
1 m = 100 cm, so 1 m² = 100 × 100 = 10 000 cm².
0.17 × 10 000 = 1700 cm²
Question 6 — Density of a metal cuboid in g/cm³
The mass of a solid metal cuboid is 4 kg. The volume of the cuboid is 600 cm³. Calculate the density of the metal, giving your answer in g/cm³. [Density = mass ÷ volume]
Show solution
Convert the mass to grams first: 4 kg = 4000 g.
Density = 4000 ÷ 600 = 40 ÷ 6 = 6⅔ g/cm³ (or 20/3)
Question 7 — Column vectors: u − 2v and the magnitude |v|
u = 3−2 v = −125
- (a) Find u − 2v.
- (b) Find |v|.
Show solution
- (a) 2v = −2410, so u − 2v = 3 − (−24)−2 − 10 = (27, −12) as a column vector
- (b) |v| = √((−12)² + 5²) = √(144 + 25) = √169 = 13
Question 8 — Exact perimeter of a semicircle with diameter 9 cm
The diagram shows a semicircle with diameter 9 cm. Calculate the total perimeter of this semicircle. Give your answer in exact form.
Show solution
The perimeter is the curved arc (half a circumference) plus the straight diameter.
Half circumference = ½ × π × 9 = 4.5π cm
Perimeter = 4.5π + 9 = (4.5π + 9) cm
Question 9 — Next term and nth term of 17, 12, 7, 2
In a sequence, T1 = 17, T2 = 12, T3 = 7, T4 = 2. Find:
- (a) T5
- (b) Tn
Show solution
- (a) Each term is 5 less than the one before: T5 = 2 − 5 = −3
- (b) The difference is −5, so Tn starts −5n. When n = 1, −5n = −5, but T1 = 17, so add 22.
Tn = 22 − 5n
Check: n = 4 gives 22 − 20 = 2 ✓
Question 10 — Adding mixed numbers 2⅔ + 3½
Work out 2⅔ + 3½. Give your answer as a mixed number in its simplest form.
Show solution
Method 1 (improper fractions): 2⅔ = 8⁄3 and 3½ = 7⁄2. With denominator 6: 16⁄6 + 21⁄6 = 37⁄6.
37 ÷ 6 = 6 remainder 1, so 6⅙
Method 2: 2 + 3 = 5, and 4⁄6 + 3⁄6 = 7⁄6 = 1⅙, so 5 + 1⅙ = 6⅙.
Question 11 — Evaluating 64 to the power ⅔
Find the value of 64⅔.
Show solution
The denominator 3 means cube root; the numerator 2 means square. 64⅔ = (∛64)² = 4² = 16
Question 12 — Multiplying and adding numbers in standard form
Work out, giving your answer in standard form:
- (a) (7.1 × 10−15) × (2 × 10³)
- (b) (5.2 × 10⁷) + (5.2 × 10⁶)
Show solution
- (a) Multiply the numbers and add the powers: 7.1 × 2 = 14.2 and 10−15 × 10³ = 10−12.
14.2 × 10−12 is not standard form (14.2 ≥ 10), so write 14.2 = 1.42 × 10¹.
1.42 × 10−11 - (b) Make the powers match: 5.2 × 10⁷ = 52 × 10⁶.
52 × 10⁶ + 5.2 × 10⁶ = 57.2 × 10⁶ = 5.72 × 10⁷
Check: 52 000 000 + 5 200 000 = 57 200 000 ✓
Question 13 — Number of sides of a regular polygon with interior angle 162°
Find the number of sides of a regular polygon with interior angle 162°.
Show solution
Interior and exterior angles add to 180°: exterior angle = 180 − 162 = 18°.
The exterior angles of any polygon add to 360°: number of sides = 360 ÷ 18 = 20
Question 14 — Five integers with range, mode, median and mean all 10
The range, mode, median and mean of five positive integers are all equal to 10. Find one possible set of these five integers.
Show solution
Build the set step by step. Median 10 means the middle value is 10; mode 10 suggests repeating it: _, 10, 10, 10, _. Mean 10 means the total is 50, so the two outer numbers add to 20. Range 10 means they differ by 10: 5 and 15.
- Range = 15 − 5 = 10 ✓
- Mode = 10 ✓
- Median = 10 ✓
- Mean = 50 ÷ 5 = 10 ✓
5, 10, 10, 10, 15 (other sets are possible, e.g. 6, 8, 10, 10, 16)
Question 15 — Describing the single transformation from triangle T to triangle A
Describe fully the single transformation that maps triangle T onto triangle A.
Show solution
T and A are the same size, but the long side has turned from horizontal to vertical, so this is a 90° rotation. Tracing paper (allowed in the exam) confirms the direction: clockwise.
To find the centre, follow one vertex: (4, 1) maps to (2, 3). The centre must be the same distance from both points with a right angle between them — that point is (4, 3).
Rotation, 90° clockwise, centre (4, 3)
Check all three vertices: (4, 1) → (2, 3), (1, 1) → (2, 6), (4, 2) → (3, 3) ✓
Question 16 — Cumulative frequency curve (median, IQR, percentile) and completing a histogram
A student measures the height, h cm, of each of 400 plants.
(a) The cumulative frequency diagram shows the results.
Use the diagram to find an estimate for:
- the median
- the interquartile range
- the 80th percentile
- the number of plants with a height greater than 60 cm.
(b) The heights are also shown in the frequency table.
| Height (h cm) | 0 < h ≤ 20 | 20 < h ≤ 30 | 30 < h ≤ 40 | 40 < h ≤ 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 120 | 80 | 124 | 76 |
Complete the histogram to show this information. (The bar for 0 < h ≤ 20 has been drawn, with frequency density 6.)
Show solution
- (a)(i) Median: half of 400 is 200. Read across from 200 to the curve and down: 30 cm
- (a)(ii) Lower quartile at ¼ × 400 = 100 → h ≈ 17 cm. Upper quartile at ¾ × 400 = 300 → h ≈ 37 cm.
IQR = 37 − 17 = 20 cm - (a)(iii) 80th percentile at 0.8 × 400 = 320 → 39 cm (approximately)
- (a)(iv) At h = 60 the cumulative frequency is about 363, so 363 plants are 60 cm or shorter.
Taller than 60 cm: 400 − 363 = 37 plants - (b) Frequency density = frequency ÷ class width.
Class Width Frequency Frequency density 0 < h ≤ 20 20 120 6 (given) 20 < h ≤ 30 10 80 8 30 < h ≤ 40 10 124 12.4 40 < h ≤ 80 40 76 1.9
Question 17 — Cyclic quadrilateral angles and similar triangles ADX and BCX
The diagram shows a cyclic quadrilateral ABCD. BD and AC intersect at X.
- (a) Angle BAD = 74° and angle BCA = 34°. Find:
- angle BDA
- angle BCD
- angle ABD
- (b) Triangle ADX is similar to triangle BCX. BC = 4.5 cm, AD = 9 cm and CX = 3.3 cm. Work out XD.
Show solution
- (a)(i) Angles BDA and BCA both stand on chord AB, so they are equal (angles in the same segment): angle BDA = 34°
- (a)(ii) Opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral add to 180°: angle BCD = 180 − 74 = 106°
- (a)(iii) Angles in triangle ABD add to 180°: angle ABD = 180 − 74 − 34 = 72°
- (b) The order of letters gives the matching sides: A↔B, D↔C, X↔X. So AD matches BC and DX matches CX.
Scale factor = AD ÷ BC = 9 ÷ 4.5 = 2.
XD = 2 × 3.3 = 6.6 cm
Question 18 — Composite functions gf(x), gg(x) and inverse functions
f(x) = 3 − 2x g(x) = 2x + 3 h(x) = 2x
- (a) (i) Find f(−3).
(ii) Find gf(−3). - (b) Find f−1(x).
- (c) Find x when gg(x) = 7.
- (d) Find x when h−1(x) = 5.
Show solution
- (a)(i) f(−3) = 3 − 2(−3) = 3 + 6 = 9
- (a)(ii) gf(−3) means apply f first, then g: g(9) = 2(9) + 3 = 21
- (b) Write y = 3 − 2x and rearrange for x: 2x = 3 − y, so x = 3 − y⁄2.
f−1(x) = (3 − x) / 2 - (c) gg(x) = g(2x + 3) = 2(2x + 3) + 3 = 4x + 9.
4x + 9 = 7 → 4x = −2 → x = −½ - (d) h−1(x) = 5 means x = h(5) = 2⁵ = 32
Question 19 — Simplifying √32 + √98 and rationalising 1/(√2 + 1)
- (a) Simplify √32 + √98.
- (b) Rationalise the denominator of 1⁄√2 + 1.
Show solution
- (a) Find square factors: √32 = √(16 × 2) = 4√2 and √98 = √(49 × 2) = 7√2.
4√2 + 7√2 = 11√2 - (b) Multiply top and bottom by √2 − 1:
√2 − 1⁄(√2 + 1)(√2 − 1) = √2 − 1⁄2 − 1 = √2 − 1
Question 20 — y inversely proportional to the square root of x
y ∝ 1⁄√x. When y = 8, x = 4. Find y when x = 49.
Show solution
Write y = k⁄√x. Substitute y = 8, x = 4: 8 = k⁄2, so k = 16.
When x = 49: y = 16⁄√49 = 16⁄7 = 16/7 = 2²⁄₇
Question 21 — Triangle and rectangle areas: show 2x² − 15x + 22 = 0 and solve
In this question, all measurements are in centimetres.
The height of the triangle is h and the height of the rectangle is (h + 2). The length of the base of the triangle is x and the length of the rectangle is (x + 1). The area of the triangle is 11 cm² and the area of the rectangle is 39 cm².
- (a) Write down an expression, in terms of x, for the height of the rectangle.
- (b) Show that 2x² − 15x + 22 = 0.
- (c) By factorising and solving 2x² − 15x + 22 = 0, find the two possible heights of the triangle.
Show solution
- (a) Rectangle area = length × height, so 39 = (x + 1) × height.
Height of rectangle = 39 / (x + 1) - (b) From the triangle: ½xh = 11, so h = 22⁄x. The rectangle height is also h + 2, so:
39⁄x + 1 = 22⁄x + 2
Multiply every term by x(x + 1): 39x = 22(x + 1) + 2x(x + 1)
39x = 22x + 22 + 2x² + 2x
0 = 2x² + 24x − 39x + 22
2x² − 15x + 22 = 0 ✓ - (c) Find two numbers that multiply to 2 × 22 = 44 and add to −15: −4 and −11.
2x² − 4x − 11x + 22 = 0
2x(x − 2) − 11(x − 2) = 0
(2x − 11)(x − 2) = 0 → x = 5.5 or x = 2
Then h = 22⁄x: x = 5.5 gives h = 4; x = 2 gives h = 11.
h = 4 or h = 11
Question 22 — Exact value of a hypotenuse using cos 30°
Find the exact value of x.
Show solution
The 8 cm side is adjacent to the 30° angle and x is the hypotenuse, so use cosine: cos 30° = 8⁄x.
cos 30° = √3⁄2, so √3⁄2 = 8⁄x → x = 16⁄√3
Rationalise: x = 16√3⁄3 → x = 16√3 / 3
Question 23 — Subtracting algebraic fractions 3/(x − 4) − 4/(x + 3)
Write as a single fraction in its simplest form: 3⁄x − 4 − 4⁄x + 3
Show solution
Use the common denominator (x − 4)(x + 3):
3(x + 3) − 4(x − 4)⁄(x − 4)(x + 3) = 3x + 9 − 4x + 16⁄(x − 4)(x + 3)
(25 − x) / ((x − 4)(x + 3))
Question 24 — Completing the square and the turning point of y = x² − 4x + 7
- (a) Write x² − 4x + 7 in the form (x − a)² + b.
- (b) Write down the coordinates of the turning point of the graph of y = x² − 4x + 7.
Show solution
- (a) Halve the coefficient of x: (x − 2)² = x² − 4x + 4. We need +7, so add 3: (x − 2)² + 3
- (b) (x − 2)² is smallest (zero) when x = 2, giving y = 3. Turning point: (2, 3)
Question 25 — Lengths of similar shapes from their areas
The two shapes are mathematically similar. The area of the larger shape is 36 cm² and the area of the smaller shape is 25 cm². The height of the larger shape is 9 cm and the height of the smaller shape is x cm. Find the value of x.
Show solution
For similar shapes, area scale factor = (length scale factor)².
Area ratio small : large = 25 : 36, so length ratio = √25 : √36 = 5 : 6.
x = 9 × 5⁄6 = 45⁄6 = 7.5
Question 26 — Sketching y = x(x + 2)(x − 3), expanding, and the tangent at (1, −6)
f(x) = x(x + 2)(x − 3)
- (a) On the diagram, sketch the graph of y = f(x) for −3 ≤ x ≤ 4. Show the values of the intersections with the axes.
- (b) Expand and simplify x(x + 2)(x − 3).
- (c) A is the point (1, −6). The tangent to the graph of y = f(x) at A meets the y-axis at B. Find the coordinates of B.
Show solution
- (a) f(x) = 0 when x = 0, x = −2 or x = 3, and the curve passes through the origin, so the y-intercept is 0. The x³ term is positive, so the curve rises from bottom-left to top-right, with a maximum between −2 and 0 and a minimum between 0 and 3. The ends of the axes match the curve: f(−3) = −18 and f(4) = 24.
Crosses x-axis at −2, 0, 3; y-axis at 0 - (b) (x + 2)(x − 3) = x² − 3x + 2x − 6 = x² − x − 6. Multiply by x: x³ − x² − 6x
- (c) Differentiate: dy⁄dx = 3x² − 2x − 6. At x = 1: gradient = 3 − 2 − 6 = −5.
Tangent through (1, −6) with gradient −5: y + 6 = −5(x − 1) → y = −5x − 1.
It meets the y-axis where x = 0: y = −1.
B = (0, −1)
0580/02 Specimen 2025 Answer Key
Final answers only, for quick marking. Open each question above for the full method.
| Q | Answer | Q | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0001 | 14 | e.g. 5, 10, 10, 10, 15 |
| 2 | 57.40 | 15 | Rotation 90° clockwise, centre (4, 3) |
| 3 | $275 | 16 | (a) 30, 20, 39, 37 (b) FD 8, 12.4, 1.9 |
| 4 | 38° | 17 | (a) 34°, 106°, 72° (b) 6.6 cm |
| 5 | 1700 cm² | 18 | (a) 9, 21 (b) (3 − x)/2 (c) −½ (d) 32 |
| 6 | 6⅔ g/cm³ | 19 | (a) 11√2 (b) √2 − 1 |
| 7 | (a) (27, −12) (b) 13 | 20 | 16/7 |
| 8 | 4.5π + 9 cm | 21 | (a) 39/(x + 1) (c) h = 4 or 11 |
| 9 | (a) −3 (b) 22 − 5n | 22 | 16√3/3 |
| 10 | 6⅙ | 23 | (25 − x)/((x − 4)(x + 3)) |
| 11 | 16 | 24 | (a) (x − 2)² + 3 (b) (2, 3) |
| 12 | (a) 1.42 × 10⁻¹¹ (b) 5.72 × 10⁷ | 25 | 7.5 |
| 13 | 20 | 26 | (b) x³ − x² − 6x (c) B(0, −1) |
How to score well on IGCSE Maths 0580 Paper 2 (Extended)
- Pace yourself. 100 marks in 120 minutes is about 1.2 minutes per mark. The long questions (16, 18, 21, 26) carry 39 marks between them, so leave time for them.
- Keep answers exact. Leave π, surds and fractions in your answer when the question says “exact” (Q8, Q20, Q22).
- Know the non-calculator facts. Squares, cubes, exact trig values and fraction–decimal conversions save time on every page.
- Use the structure of the question. Earlier parts often set up later ones — Q26(b) is needed for Q26(c), and Q21(b) for Q21(c).
- Draw on graphs. Reading lines on cumulative frequency curves show your method even if a reading is slightly off.
Want to test yourself under timed conditions? Try our free IGCSE Maths 0580 Extended mock test.
More IGCSE Maths 0580 past paper solutions
- 0580/04 Specimen 2025Paper 4 · Extended · Calculator
- 0580/01 Specimen 2025Paper 1 · Core · Non-calculator
- 0580/03 Specimen 2025Paper 3 · Core · Calculator
- 0580/22 February/March 2024Paper 2 · Extended
- 0580/21 May/June 2024Paper 2 · Extended
- 0580/22 May/June 2024Paper 2 · Extended
- 0580/42 February/March 2024Paper 4 · Extended
- All free resourcesNotes, questions and mock tests
Frequently asked questions
Is IGCSE Maths 0580 Paper 2 a non-calculator paper?
Yes. From 2025, Paper 2 is the Extended non-calculator paper: 2 hours, 100 marks, worth 50% of the Extended qualification. Paper 4 is the Extended calculator paper.
What grades can I get on IGCSE Maths Extended?
Extended candidates (Papers 2 and 4) can achieve grades A* to E. Core candidates (Papers 1 and 3) can achieve grades C to G.
What are the answers to Question 16 (cumulative frequency)?
Median 30 cm, interquartile range about 20 cm, 80th percentile about 39 cm, and about 37 plants taller than 60 cm. Histogram frequency densities are 8, 12.4 and 1.9. See the reading lines and completed histogram.
How do you find the exact value of x in Question 22?
Use cos 30° = √3/2. Since cos 30° = 8/x, x = 16/√3 = 16√3/3 cm. Full working.
Which topics come up in this paper?
Number, standard form, surds and indices, vectors, transformations, statistics, circle theorems, similarity, functions, proportion, quadratics, exact trigonometry, algebraic fractions and cubic graphs with differentiation. See the topic map for every question.
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