IGCSE Maths 0580 Using a Calculator Past Paper Questions and Worked Solutions

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IGCSE Maths (0580) · Number · 1.14

Every using a calculator question from 8 Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) past papers (Oct/Nov 2025 to May/June 2026), syllabus section 1.14. 8 questions covering Core and Extended tiers, ordered from Core to Extended. Each question is labelled with its question paper code (for example 0580/32/M/J/26) and every final answer matches the official Cambridge mark scheme. Try each question first, then click “Show solution” to check your working. This page is part of our IGCSE Maths 0580 Number past paper questions.

0580 Using a Calculator past paper questions: Core (Papers 1 and 3)

12 marksCore

May/June 2026 · Paper 3 · 0580/32/M/J/26 · Q4

Calculate. (a) ∛1.728 (b) 18⁄0.2² − 0.36

Show solution
Part (a)
  1. The cube root is the number that multiplies by itself three times to give 1.728.
  2. Try 1.2: 1.2 × 1.2 = 1.44, and 1.44 × 1.2 = 1.728 ✓
  3. ∛1.728 = 1.2
Answer 1.2
Part (b)
  1. Work out the bottom first: 0.2² = 0.2 × 0.2 = 0.04.
  2. 0.04 − 0.36 = −0.32.
  3. Now divide: 18 ÷ (−0.32) = −56.25
  4. Tip: A positive number divided by a negative number gives a negative answer.
Answer −56.25
22 marksCore

May/June 2026 · Paper 3 · 0580/33/M/J/26 · Q4

Calculate 32.7⁄8.54 − 2.6. Give your answer correct to 2 decimal places.

Show solution
  1. Work out the bottom of the fraction first: 8.54 − 2.6 = 5.94.
  2. Divide: 32.7 ÷ 5.94 = 5.5050…
  3. Round to 2 decimal places: 5.51
  4. Tip: On a calculator, put the bottom in brackets: 32.7 ÷ (8.54 − 2.6).
Answer 5.51
32 marksCore

Feb/Mar 2026 · Paper 3 · 0580/32/F/M/26 · Q5

Calculate. (a) 3.6³ − 0.6³ (b) 6.589 − 2.985⁄√0.16

Show solution
Part (a)
  1. Work out each cube: 3.6³ = 46.656 and 0.6³ = 0.216.
  2. Subtract: 46.656 − 0.216 = 46.44
Answer 46.44
Part (b)
  1. Work out the top first: 6.589 − 2.985 = 3.604.
  2. Work out the bottom: √0.16 = 0.4.
  3. Divide: 3.604 ÷ 0.4 = 9.01
Answer 9.01
45 marksCore

Oct/Nov 2025 · Paper 3 · 0580/31/O/N/25 · Q5

(a) Find the value of (i) √1.96 (ii) 17³ (iii) −0.8 × −1.2

(b) Write these numbers in order, starting with the smallest: 11⁄19, 58%, 0.574, 27⁄47

Show solution
Part (a)(i)
  1. 1.4 × 1.4 = 1.96, so √1.96 = 1.4
Answer 1.4
Part (a)(ii)
  1. 17³ = 17 × 17 × 17 = 289 × 17 = 4913
Answer 4913
Part (a)(iii)
  1. Negative × negative = positive. 0.8 × 1.2 = 0.96.
  2. −0.8 × −1.2 = 0.96
Answer 0.96
Part (b)
  1. Change each number to a decimal: 11⁄19 = 0.5789…, 58% = 0.58, 0.574, 27⁄47 = 0.5744…
  2. Compare: 0.574 < 0.5744… < 0.5789… < 0.58.
  3. 0.574 < 27⁄47 < 11⁄19 < 58%
Answer 0.574 < 27⁄47 < 11⁄19 < 58%
52 marksCore

Oct/Nov 2025 · Paper 3 · 0580/33/O/N/25 · Q18

Calculate. (a) √(8.4² + 9.3⁄26.5) (b) 4⁻³

Show solution
Part (a)
  1. Work out the top first: 8.4² = 70.56, and 70.56 + 9.3 = 79.86.
  2. Divide by the bottom: 79.86 ÷ 26.5 = 3.0135…
  3. Square root: √3.0135… = 1.7359…
  4. 1.74
Answer 1.74
Part (b)
  1. A negative power means 1 over the positive power: 4⁻³ = 1⁄4³.
  2. 4³ = 64, so 4⁻³ = 1⁄64 (= 0.015625)
Answer 1⁄64

0580 Using a Calculator past paper questions: Extended (Papers 2 and 4)

62 marksExtended

May/June 2026 · Paper 4 · 0580/43/M/J/26 · Q3

Calculate 0.7 − 3.5³⁄4.2², giving your answer correct to 2 significant figures.

Show solution
  1. Work out the top first. Powers come before subtraction: 3.5³ = 42.875.
  2. Top = 0.7 − 42.875 = −42.175.
  3. Bottom = 4.2² = 17.64.
  4. Divide: −42.175 ÷ 17.64 = −2.3908…
  5. Round to 2 significant figures: −2.4
Answer −2.4
72 marksExtended

Feb/Mar 2026 · Paper 4 · 0580/42/F/M/26 · Q3

Calculate 10 − (7⁄8)³ × 2. Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.

Show solution
  1. Follow the order of operations: powers first, then multiply, then subtract.
  2. (7⁄8)³ = 0.875³ = 0.669921875.
  3. × 2: 0.669921875 × 2 = 1.33984375.
  4. 10 − 1.33984375 = 8.660…
  5. Round to 1 decimal place: 8.7
Answer 8.7
81 markExtended

Oct/Nov 2025 · Paper 4 · 0580/41/O/N/25 · Q8

Calculate (3.5² − 2.2³)1/4.

Show solution
  1. Work out the powers first: 3.5² = 12.25 and 2.2³ = 10.648.
  2. Subtract: 12.25 − 10.648 = 1.602.
  3. A power of 1⁄4 means the fourth root: ⁴√1.602 = 1.1250…
  4. Round to 3 significant figures: 1.13
Answer 1.13

Question papers used on this page

All using a calculator questions above, listed by 0580 question paper code.

QP codeFile namePaperQuestions
0580/32/M/J/260580_s26_qp_32May/June 2026 · Paper 3 (Core)Q4
0580/33/M/J/260580_s26_qp_33May/June 2026 · Paper 3 (Core)Q4
0580/43/M/J/260580_s26_qp_43May/June 2026 · Paper 4 (Extended)Q3
0580/32/F/M/260580_m26_qp_32Feb/Mar 2026 · Paper 3 (Core)Q5
0580/42/F/M/260580_m26_qp_42Feb/Mar 2026 · Paper 4 (Extended)Q3
0580/31/O/N/250580_w25_qp_31Oct/Nov 2025 · Paper 3 (Core)Q5
0580/33/O/N/250580_w25_qp_33Oct/Nov 2025 · Paper 3 (Core)Q18
0580/41/O/N/250580_w25_qp_41Oct/Nov 2025 · Paper 4 (Extended)Q8

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