ICSE CLASS 9 MATH CHEAT SHEET (FIRST TERM)
Based on Selina Concise Mathematics Part I
Chapter 1: Rational & Irrational Numbers
Rational Number (ℚ): Can be expressed as p/q where p and q are
integers and q ≠ 0 . Their decimal expansion is either terminating or
repeating.
Irrational Number (ℚ'): Cannot be expressed as p/q . Their decimal
expansion is non-terminating and non-repeating (e.g., √2 , π ).
Tip: To identify if a number is rational or irrational, try to simplify
it. If it simplifies to a fraction, it's rational. If it contains a
prime number under a square root that cannot be simplified, it's
irrational.
Chapter 2 & 3: Compound Interest (Stage I & II)
Formulae:
1. Amount (A): A = P(1 + r/100)^n
2. Compound Interest (C.I.): C.I. = A - P or C.I. = P[(1 + r/100)^n - 1]
3. When interest is compounded half-yearly: Rate becomes r/2 and time
becomes 2n .
4. When interest is compounded quarterly: Rate becomes r/4 and time
becomes 4n .
5. Difference between C.I. and S.I. for 2 years: P (r/100)^2
6. Difference between C.I. and S.I. for 3 years: P (r/100)^2 * (3 + r/100)
Tips & Tricks:
Keyword: "Compounded" means use C.I. formula.
Always convert the time period ( n ) and rate ( r ) to match the
compounding frequency (yearly, half-yearly, quarterly).
For problems asking "find the sum" or "find the rate," substitute the
given values into the A = P(1 + r/100)^n formula and solve for the unknown
variable.
Chapter 4: Expansions
Key Formulae:
1. (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
2. (a - b)² = a² - 2ab + b²
3. (a + b)(a - b) = a² - b²
4. (a + b)³ = a³ + b³ + 3ab(a + b)
5. (a - b)³ = a³ - b³ - 3ab(a - b)
6. a³ + b³ = (a + b)³ - 3ab(a + b)
7. a³ - b³ = (a - b)³ + 3ab(a - b)
8. (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2(ab + bc + ca)
Tips & Tricks:
Look for the pattern! Identify which formula fits the given expression.
For (a + b + c)² problems, first find a² + b² + c² and ab + bc + ca separately,
then plug them into the formula.
To prove identities, start from the more complex side and simplify it to
match the simpler side using the above formulae.
Chapter 5: Factorisation
Methods:
1. Taking Common: ab + ac = a(b + c)
2. Grouping: ax + bx + ay + by = x(a + b) + y(a + b) = (a + b)(x + y)
3. Using Identities:
a² - b² = (a + b)(a - b)
a² + 2ab + b² = (a + b)²
a² - 2ab + b² = (a - b)²
a³ + b³ = (a + b)(a² - ab + b²)
a³ - b³ = (a - b)(a² + ab + b²)
Tips & Tricks:
Always look for a common factor first. This is the most common mistake
students forget.
For quadratic expressions ( ax² + bx + c ), use the splitting the middle
term method. Find two numbers whose product is a*c and sum is b .
Chapter 7: Indices (Laws of Exponents)
Key Laws:
1. a^m × a^n = a^(m+n)
2. a^m ÷ a^n = a^(m-n)
3. (a^m)^n = a^(m×n)
4. (ab)^n = a^n × b^n
5. (a/b)^n = a^n / b^n
6. a^0 = 1 (where a ≠ 0 )
7. a^(-n) = 1 / a^n
8. a^(1/n) = ⁿ√a
9. a^(m/n) = (ⁿ√a)^m = ⁿ√(a^m)
Tips & Tricks:
The goal is to express all terms with the same base. Once the bases are
the same, you can equate the exponents.
For complex problems, try to break down numbers into their prime factors
(e.g., 256 = 2^8 , 81 = 3^4 ).
Chapter 9: Triangles
Important Theorems & Properties:
Angle Sum Property: Sum of three angles of a triangle is 180°.
Exterior Angle Property: An exterior angle is equal to the sum of the
two opposite interior angles.
Congruency Rules (SSS, SAS, ASA, RHS): Know the conditions for each
rule. You cannot use SSA or AAA for congruency.
Inequalities in a Triangle:
1. The angle opposite to the longer side is larger.
2. The side opposite to the larger angle is longer.
3. Sum of any two sides is always greater than the third side.
Tips & Tricks:
To prove lines or angles equal, first try to prove the triangles
containing them are congruent.
Mark all given information on the diagram. Look for common sides or
angles in two triangles.
Chapter 11: Mid-Point Theorem & Its Converse
Mid-Point Theorem: The line segment joining the mid-points of any two
sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side and is half of it.
Converse of Mid-Point Theorem: The line drawn through the mid-point of
one side of a triangle parallel to another side bisects the third side.
Tips & Tricks:
This theorem is a shortcut to prove lines are parallel and to find
lengths.
If a question has "mid-point," this theorem is almost always involved.
Chapter 17: Statistics
Formulae:
1. Mean (Average): Mean = (Sum of all observations) / (Total number of observations)
2. Median:
For ungrouped data: Arrange data in ascending order.
If n (number of terms) is odd: Median = ((n + 1)/2)^th term.
If n is even: Median = 1/2 [ (n/2)^th term + ((n/2) + 1)^th term ]
3. Mode: The observation that occurs the most number of times.
Tips & Tricks:
Mean is affected by extreme values, Median is not.
For a large data set, use the standard formulae. For a small set, you
can find the median by simply ordering the data.
Chapter 19: Area & Perimeter of Plane Figures
Formulae:
Figure Perimeter Area
Rectangle 2 × (length + breadth) length × breadth
Square 4 × side side²
Triangle a + b + c 1/2 × base × height
Parallelogram 2 × (base + side) base × height
Figure Perimeter Area
Rhombus 4 × side 1/2 × (diagonal₁ × diagonal₂)
Circle 2πr (Circumference) πr²
Tips & Tricks:
Units! Perimeter is in units (cm, m), Area is in square units (cm², m²).
Always write the correct unit.
For complex shapes, try to break them down into a combination of
rectangles, squares, and triangles.
The height in a parallelogram or triangle is the perpendicular height,
not the slant height.
General Exam Tips:
Read the question carefully. Underline key words like "compound
interest," "factorise," "simplify," "prove that."
Show your steps. Even if the final answer is wrong, you get marks for
the correct method.
Revise the identities and laws. These are your most powerful tools for
algebra chapters.
Manage your time. Don't spend too long on one question. Move on and come
back to it later.
Practice, Practice, Practice! The only way to get fast and accurate is
to solve as many problems as possible from the textbook.
ICSE CLASS 9 MATH - NICHE & SPECIFIC FORMULAE CHEAT SHEET
Chapter 2 & 3: Compound Interest (The Tricky Bits)
If the interest is compounded annually but time is a fraction:
e.g., Time = n + a/b years.
Amount (A) = P(1 + r/100)^n * (1 + (a/b * r)/100)
Finding Principal when Amount is given:
Principal (P) = A / (1 + r/100)^n
Finding Rate (r) or Time (n):
You will need to use the formula A/P = (1 + r/100)^n and solve using trial
and error or logarithms (simpler problems usually have integer
answers).
Population Growth: Use the same C.I. formula where:
P = Initial Population
A = Population after n years
r = growth rate %
Depreciation: Use the C.I. formula with a negative rate or the specific
formula:
Value after Depreciation = P(1 - r/100)^n
Chapter 4: Expansions (Beyond the Basics)
(a + b)² + (a - b)² = 2(a² + b²)
(a + b)² - (a - b)² = 4ab
a² + b² = (a + b)² - 2ab or a² + b² = (a - b)² + 2ab
(a + b + c)² + (a + b - c)² + (a - b + c)² + (-a + b + c)² = 4(a² + b² + c²)
Cube of a Trinomial (Seldom used but powerful):
(a + b + c)³ = a³ + b³ + c³ + 3(a + b)(b + c)(c + a)
(a + b + c)³ = a³ + b³ + c³ + 3(a + b + c)(ab + bc + ca) - 3abc
Chapter 5: Factorisation (Special Cases)
Factorising a⁴ + a²b² + b⁴ :
Add and subtract a²b² : a⁴ + 2a²b² + b⁴ - a²b² = (a² + b²)² - (ab)² = (a² + ab + b²)(a²
- ab + b²)
Factorising a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc :
Important Identity: a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc = (a + b + c)(a² + b² + c² - ab - bc - ca)
Corollary: If a + b + c = 0 , then a³ + b³ + c³ = 3abc .
Sum and Difference of Cubes (Reiterated):
a³ + b³ = (a + b)(a² - ab + b²)
a³ - b³ = (a - b)(a² + ab + b²)
Chapter 7: Indices (Solving Equations)
If a^m = a^n , then m = n . (Provided the base a is not 0 , 1 , or -1 ).
If a^m = b^m , then a = b . (Provided m ≠ 0 ).
To solve equations like 2^(x+1) = 8 : Express both sides with the same
base.
8 = 2³ , so 2^(x+1) = 2³ , therefore x + 1 = 3 , so x = 2 .
Chapter 9 & 11: Triangles & Midpoint (Proof Shortcuts)
Pythagoras Theorem (Application): In a right-angled triangle, (Hypotenuse)²
= (Base)² + (Height)² .
Area of an Equilateral Triangle: (√3 / 4) * (side)²
Altitude of an Equilateral Triangle: (√3 / 2) * side
Converse of Midpoint Theorem (Extended): If a line is drawn through the
midpoint of a side of a triangle, and it cuts another side, then the
line is parallel to the third side only if it bisects the second side.
Chapter 17: Statistics (Grouped Data & More)
Mean of Grouped Data (Direct Method):
Mean (x̄) = (∑(f_i * x_i)) / (∑f_i)
where f_i is the frequency of the i-th class and x_i is the class mark
(mid-value of the class interval).
Mean of Grouped Data (Assumed Mean Method): (Use when data is large)
Mean (x̄) = a + (∑(f_i * d_i)) / (∑f_i)
where a is the assumed mean (usually the middle x_i ), and d_i = x_i - a .
Median of Grouped Data:
Median = L + [ ( (N/2) - cf ) / f ] * h
where:
L = lower limit of the median class
N = total number of observations (∑f_i)
cf = cumulative frequency of the class preceding the median class
f = frequency of the median class
h = size (width) of the median class
Chapter 19: Area & Perimeter (Less Common Figures)
Area of a Trapezium: 1/2 * (sum of parallel sides) * height or 1/2 * (a + b) * h
Area of a Quadrilateral: 1/2 * (length of a diagonal) * (sum of the perpendiculars from
the opposite vertices to this diagonal)
Area of an Isosceles Right Triangle: 1/2 * (leg)² (Since base = height =
leg)
Circumference of a Semicircle: πr + 2r (πr is the arc, 2r is the
diameter)
Area of a Semicircle: (πr²)/2
Area of a Circular Ring (Annulus): π(R² - r²) where R is outer radius and
r is inner radius.
Pathways:
Outside a rectangle: Area of path = (l + 2w)(b + 2w) - lb
Inside a rectangle: Area of path = lb - (l - 2w)(b - 2w)
(where w is the uniform width of the path)
General Problem Solving Tips for Niche Problems:
"Find the ratio" questions: Assign a convenient value (like 100 for
Principal) to make calculations easier.
"Find the smallest number to be multiplied/divided to make a perfect
square": Prime factorize the number. The smallest number to multiply is
the product of the unpaired primes. The smallest number to divide is the
product of the pairs of primes that are in excess.
Geometry Proofs: Look for common sides, vertically opposite angles, and
alternate/interior angles (when lines are parallel). These are the most
common hidden properties you need to state.
Word Problems: Read the last line first to understand what you need to
find. Then, slowly translate the English sentences into mathematical
equations step-by-step.
```
