All 7 units — live Oxford MYP Mathematics 1 Variables defined inline
Formula Sheet · MYP Year 1

IB MYP Grade 6 Maths — Formulas at a Glance

Every numerical rule, conversion and identity across the 7 MYP1 units. No worked examples — pure reference for last-minute revision.

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Unit 1 Numbers and number systems

Key concept: Form  ·  Related: Representation, Systems  ·  Global context: Orientation in space and time

1.1Number systems & place value

Place value (base 10)
4 532 = 4 thousands + 5 hundreds + 3 tens + 2 ones = 4 000 + 500 + 30 + 2
Each digit's value depends on its place in the number. Moving one place to the left multiplies the value by 10.
Roman numeral values
I=1 V=5 X=10 L=50 C=100 D=500 M=1000
Subtractive pairs: IV=4, IX=9, XL=40, XC=90, CD=400, CM=900. A smaller numeral before a larger one is subtracted.
Number-system bases (historical)
Hindu-Arabic = 10 · Babylonian = 60 · Mayan = 20 · Binary = 2
Base 60 lives on in time (60 s = 1 min, 60 min = 1 h) and angles (360° in a circle).

1.2Factors, multiples & divisibility

Divisibility rules — single digits
÷2: last digit even (0,2,4,6,8) ÷3: digit-sum divisible by 3 ÷4: last 2 digits divisible by 4 ÷5: ends in 0 or 5 ÷6: divisible by 2 AND 3 ÷8: last 3 digits divisible by 8 ÷9: digit-sum divisible by 9 ÷10: ends in 0
Prime number
A prime number has exactly TWO factors: 1 and itself.
First primes: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23. Note: 1 is not prime (it has only one factor); 2 is the only even prime.
Prime factorisation
Write a number as a product of primes only. 12 = 2 × 2 × 3 = 2² × 3 60 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 = 2² × 3 × 5 72 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 = 2³ × 3²
Use a factor tree: keep splitting each number into two factors until every factor is prime.

1.3GCF and LCM

GCF (Greatest Common Factor)
To find the GCF of two numbers: 1. Write the prime factorisation of each. 2. Pick the primes they SHARE, each at its LOWEST power. 3. Multiply. 12 = 2 × 2 × 3 18 = 2 × 3 × 3 Shared: 2 × 3 = 6 → GCF = 6
LCM (Least Common Multiple)
To find the LCM of two numbers: 1. Write the prime factorisation of each. 2. Take EVERY prime that appears in either, each at its HIGHEST power. 3. Multiply. 12 = 2 × 2 × 3 18 = 2 × 3 × 3 All: 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 = 36 → LCM = 36
Use GCF when you need "biggest equal share / largest tile / simplest fraction". Use LCM when you need "next time two cycles meet again / common denominator".

1.4Exponents and square roots

What an exponent means
5³ means 5 × 5 × 5 = 125 2⁴ means 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16 In 5³ : 5 is the BASE, 3 is the EXPONENT (or INDEX).
Read as "5 to the power 3" or "5 cubed". Read as "5 squared".
Square root
√81 = 9 because 9 × 9 = 81 √144 = 12 because 12 × 12 = 144
Squares 1–15 to memorise: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121, 144, 169, 196, 225.
Cubes worth memorising
1³=1 2³=8 3³=27 4³=64 5³=125 6³=216 7³=343 8³=512 9³=729 10³=1000

1.5Order of operations (BIDMAS / BODMAS)

Order of operations
1. Brackets 2. Indices (powers and roots) 3. Division & Multiplication (left → right) 4. Addition & Subtraction (left → right)
D and M are equal priority — do them left to right, not all × first. Same for A and S.
A bigger exponent often beats a bigger base: 3⁴ = 81 > 4³ = 64.

Unit 2 Percentages

Key concept: Logic  ·  Related: Equivalence, Quantity  ·  Global context: Fairness and development

2.1Fraction · Decimal · Percentage conversions

Decimal → Percentage
% = decimal × 100 (move decimal point 2 places RIGHT)
0.45 → 45 %. 0.07 → 7 %. 1.2 → 120 %.
Percentage → Decimal
decimal = % ÷ 100 (move decimal point 2 places LEFT)
45 % → 0.45. 7 % → 0.07. 120 % → 1.2.
Fraction → Percentage
% = (numerator ÷ denominator) × 100
3/4 = 0.75 = 75 %. 2/5 = 0.4 = 40 %.
Memorise — common fraction ↔ percent
1/2=50% 1/3≈33.3% 1/4=25% 1/5=20% 1/8=12.5% 1/10=10% 3/4=75% 2/3≈66.7%

2.2Percentage of a quantity

% of a quantity
amount = (percent ÷ 100) × quantity = decimal × quantity
35 % of 120 = 0.35 × 120 = 42.
Quick 10 % method (mental)
10 % of x = x ÷ 10 5 % = half of 10 % 1 % = x ÷ 100 20 % = double 10 %
15 % of 60 = 10 % + 5 % = 6 + 3 = 9.
Reverse percentage (finding the whole)
whole = part ÷ (percent ÷ 100)
If 12 % of x = 90, then x = 90 ÷ 0.12 = 750.

2.3Percentage change

Percentage change
% change = ((new − old) ÷ old) × 100 %
Positive → increase. Negative → decrease. Always divide by the original value.
Increase by a percentage — short way
To INCREASE 50 by 20 %: → multiply by 1.20 → 50 × 1.20 = 60 To DECREASE 80 by 25 %: → multiply by 0.75 (because 100 % − 25 % = 75 %) → 80 × 0.75 = 60
A 100 % increase doubles the value. A 200 % increase triples it. A 550 % increase makes the new value 6.5 times the original (100 % + 550 % = 650 % of original).

2.4Tax, discount & real-life

Discount (finding the sale price)
$120 with 30 % off: Way 1 — subtract: discount = 30 % of $120 = $36 sale price = $120 − $36 = $84 Way 2 — short way: pay 100 % − 30 % = 70 % of $120 $120 × 0.70 = $84
Sales tax (finding the final price)
$20 with 15 % tax added: Way 1 — add: tax = 15 % of $20 = $3 final price = $20 + $3 = $23 Way 2 — short way: pay 100 % + 15 % = 115 % of $20 $20 × 1.15 = $23
Discount THEN tax (both together)
Backpack $30, with 10 % off, then 15 % tax: After discount: $30 − 10 % = $30 × 0.90 = $27 After tax: $27 + 15 % = $27 × 1.15 = $31.05
Order matters — each percentage is taken from the running total, not from the original.

Unit 3 Algebraic expressions and equations

Key concept: Form  ·  Related: Pattern, Equivalence  ·  Global context: Scientific and technical innovation

3.1Patterns & sequences

Linear pattern
3, 7, 11, 15, 19, … (+4 each step) 75, 68, 61, 54, 47 (−7 each step)
A linear pattern adds (or subtracts) the same fixed number each step.
Finding the rule for position n
Position: 1 2 3 4 … n Term: 3 5 7 9 … ? Each term is 2 more than the last → pattern adds 2. Rule for the n-th term: 2n + 1
Useful for finding a far-away term without listing them all.

3.2Algebraic vocabulary

Writing multiplication
7 × h is written as 7h n × 3 is written as 3n (number first) y × y is written as y² a × b is written as ab
The × is left out next to a letter — to avoid confusion with the variable x.
Translating words to algebra
"5 more than n" → n + 5 "5 less than n" → n − 5 "5 times n" → 5n "n divided by 5" → n ÷ 5 (or n/5) "twice n, plus 7" → 2n + 7

3.3Evaluating expressions

Substitute and simplify
Evaluate 2x + 3 when x = 5: 2(5) + 3 = 10 + 3 = 13
Replace the variable with the given number, then use BIDMAS to simplify.

3.4Solving equations — the balance rule

The balance rule
Whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do the same thing to the other side.
The equation must stay balanced. Add, subtract, multiply or divide BOTH sides by the same amount.
One-step examples
x + 7 = 12 → subtract 7 → x = 5 m − 9 = 4 → add 9 → m = 13 5k = 20 → divide by 5 → k = 4 p ÷ 10 = 4 → multiply by 10 → p = 40
Use the opposite operation to isolate the variable.
Two-step example
Solve 2x + 3 = 11 Step 1 — subtract 3: 2x = 8 Step 2 — divide by 2: x = 4 Check: 2(4) + 3 = 11 ✓
Undo operations in reverse order — first the addition / subtraction, then the multiplication / division.

Unit 4 Geometric constructions

Key concept: Form  ·  Related: Relationships, Space  ·  Global context: Personal and cultural expression

4.1Types of angles

Angles by size
Acute — less than 90° Right — exactly 90° Obtuse — more than 90°, less than 180° Straight — exactly 180° Reflex — more than 180°, less than 360°

4.2Angle pairs & lines

Special pairs
Complementary angles add to 90° Supplementary angles add to 180° Angles on a straight line add to 180° Angles around a point add to 360° Vertically opposite angles are EQUAL
Examples
Complement of 35° = 90° − 35° = 55° Supplement of 110° = 180° − 110° = 70°

4.3Triangles

By ANGLES
Acute — all three angles less than 90° Right — one angle exactly 90° Obtuse — one angle more than 90°
By SIDES
Equilateral — all 3 sides equal (all angles = 60°) Isosceles — 2 sides equal (2 base angles equal) Scalene — all sides different (all angles different)
Triangle angle sum — 180°
The three interior angles of ANY triangle add to 180°. If two angles are 50° and 60°, the third angle = 180° − 50° − 60° = 70°.

4.4Quadrilaterals

Quadrilateral angle sum — 360°
The four interior angles of ANY quadrilateral add to 360°. (Why: cut along a diagonal into 2 triangles → 2 × 180° = 360°.)
Key shapes
Square — 4 equal sides, 4 right angles Rectangle — opposite sides equal, 4 right angles Parallelogram — opposite sides parallel & equal Rhombus — parallelogram with 4 equal sides Trapezium — exactly 1 pair of parallel sides Kite — 2 pairs of equal adjacent sides

Unit 5 Fractions

Key concept: Form  ·  Related: Equivalence, Quantity  ·  Global context: Globalization and sustainability

5.1Equivalent fractions & simplifying

Equivalent fractions
Multiply (or divide) the TOP and the BOTTOM by the SAME number. 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6 = 5/10 = 50/100
Simplifying — divide by the GCF
12/18: GCF of 12 and 18 is 6 12 ÷ 6 = 2, 18 ÷ 6 = 3 12/18 = 2/3 (lowest terms)

5.2Comparing fractions

Two methods
Method 1 — common denominator: 3/4 vs 5/6 → 9/12 vs 10/12 → 5/6 is bigger Method 2 — convert to decimal: 3/4 = 0.75, 5/6 ≈ 0.83 → 5/6 is bigger

5.3Adding & subtracting

Same denominator
2/7 + 3/7 = 5/7 7/9 − 4/9 = 3/9 = 1/3
Keep the denominator. Add or subtract the numerators.
Different denominators
1/2 + 1/4: common denom 4 1/2 = 2/4 2/4 + 1/4 = 3/4 2/3 + 1/4: common denom 12 (LCM of 3 and 4) 2/3 = 8/12, 1/4 = 3/12 8/12 + 3/12 = 11/12

5.4Multiplying & dividing

Multiply — straight across
(top × top) ——————————— (bottom × bottom) 2/3 × 4/5 = (2 × 4) / (3 × 5) = 8/15
Divide — Keep · Change · Flip
1. KEEP the first fraction 2. CHANGE ÷ to × 3. FLIP the second fraction (its reciprocal) 2/3 ÷ 1/4 = 2/3 × 4/1 = 8/3

5.5Mixed numbers

Improper → Mixed
7/4 : 7 ÷ 4 = 1 remainder 3 → 1 ¾ 11/3: 11 ÷ 3 = 3 remainder 2 → 3 ⅔
Mixed → Improper
(whole × denom) + numerator ———————————————————————————— same denominator 2 ¾ : (2 × 4) + 3 = 11 → 11/4

Unit 6 Data management

Key concept: Logic  ·  Related: Representation, Patterns  ·  Global context: Identities and relationships

6.1Data & graphs — which to use

Types of data
Categorical — sorts into groups (favourite colour, country, sport) Numerical — measured as numbers (height, age, price, score)
Choosing a chart
Bar chart — compare counts across categories Pie chart — show parts of a whole (% or fraction) Line graph — show change over time Pictogram — counts shown with picture symbols

6.2Pie-chart angles

Slice angle
angle of a slice = (slice's % ÷ 100) × 360° 25% slice → 90° (a quarter) 50% slice → 180° (a half) 33⅓% slice → 120° (a third)

6.3Averages — mean, median, mode

Mean (the 'average')
mean = (sum of all values) ÷ (number of values) For 4, 7, 9, 6, 4: sum = 30, count = 5 mean = 30 ÷ 5 = 6
Median (the middle)
1. Put the values in order. 2. Pick the middle one. 4, 7, 9, 6, 4 → 4, 4, 6, 7, 9 → median = 6 For an even count, average the two middle values.
Mode (the most common)
Mode = value(s) that appear most often. 4, 7, 9, 6, 4 → mode = 4 (it appears twice) A data set may have NO mode, ONE mode, or MORE THAN ONE.

6.4Range

Range
range = biggest value − smallest value 12, 5, 18, 7, 11 → 18 − 5 = 13
Range tells you how spread out the data is. Small range = values close together.

Unit 7 Perimeter, area and volume

Key concept: Form  ·  Related: Measurement, Space  ·  Global context: Globalization and sustainability

7.1Perimeter

Distance around the outside
Rectangle: P = 2 × (length + width) Square: P = 4 × side Equilateral △: P = 3 × side Any polygon: add all the sides
Perimeter is a length — units cm, m, km (NOT squared).

7.2Area

Flat space inside
Rectangle: A = length × width Square: A = side × side (= side²) Triangle: A = (base × height) ÷ 2 Parallelogram: A = base × height
Area is in squared units (cm², m², …). For a triangle, height means the perpendicular height from the base.
Compound (L-shape, etc.)
1. Split the shape into rectangles / triangles. 2. Find each area. 3. ADD them up — or SUBTRACT, if a piece is cut out. Rectangle 10 × 8 with a 3 × 3 hole cut out: 80 − 9 = 71 m²

7.3Volume

3D space inside
Cube: V = side × side × side (= side³) Rectangular prism: V = length × width × height Any prism: V = (area of base) × height
Volume is in cubed units (cm³, m³, …). Useful: 1 m³ of water = 1 000 litres.

7.4Surface area

Total area of all faces
Cube (side s): SA = 6 × s² (6 identical square faces) Rectangular prism (ℓ × w × h): SA = 2(ℓ × w) + 2(ℓ × h) + 2(w × h) Example 8 × 5 × 3: SA = 2(40) + 2(24) + 2(15) = 80 + 48 + 30 = 158 cm²
Volume = how much fits inside (cm³). Surface area = how much material covers the outside (cm²).
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