GCSE Maths Formulas You Need to Memorise

June 19, 2026

Some GCSE Maths formulas are given in the exam — but many are not, and you are expected to know them by heart. Forgetting one can cost you several marks. This guide lists the key formulas to memorise and the most effective way to learn them.

Formulas you must memorise (not given)

• Area of a circle = πr² and circumference = 2πr
• Area of a triangle = ½ × base × height
• Pythagoras' theorem: a² + b² = c²
• The quadratic formula (Higher)
• Speed = distance ÷ time; density = mass ÷ volume
• Trigonometry: SOH CAH TOA
• Compound interest and percentage change

Why flashcards are perfect for this

Formulas are exactly the kind of small, self-contained facts that flashcards excel at. Put the name of the formula on the front and the formula on the back, then test yourself repeatedly. With spaced repetition, you spend more time on the ones you keep forgetting.

How to practise them

Don't just read the formulas — recall them. Cover the answer, write the formula from memory, then check. Once you can recall it, apply it to a past-paper question so you can both remember and use it under pressure.

BrightRevision's GCSE Maths flashcards cover the formulas and methods for both Foundation and Higher, using spaced repetition so the ones you struggle with come up more often.