SPM Add Math Formula List (Senarai Rumus), 3472

Given vs memorise

Everything on this page is given in the exam. Formulae like the distance formula, the gradient of a line, and the rules for differentiation and integration are not on the list, you must memorise those.

Our per-chapter formula pages show which is which.

How to use the formula list well

Having a formula list in the exam is a smaller advantage than students hope, because the marks are almost never for the formula itself, they are for knowing which formula a question calls for, and substituting into it correctly. A student who has not practised will still lose time hunting through the list, or reach for a formula that looks right but does not fit.

So treat the given list as a safety net, not a substitute for understanding: practise until you recognise the situation each formula is for on sight, and until writing it, substituting, and simplifying is second nature. It also pays to know clearly which formulae are not on the list, the distance and gradient formulae, the rules of differentiation and integration, the discriminant, because those must be memorised, and being unsure on the day costs marks that were entirely avoidable.

Each formula below links to its own page explaining exactly when it applies and how to use it without slipping.

Algebra

1. Quadratic formula (roots)Given in the exam

x = \dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}

When to use: Quadratic formula (roots) →

2. Change of base of a logarithmGiven in the exam

\log_{a} b = \dfrac{\log_{c} b}{\log_{c} a}

When to use: Change of base of a logarithm →

3. n-th term of an arithmetic progressionGiven in the exam

T_{n} = a + (n-1)d

When to use: n-th term of an arithmetic progression →

4. n-th term of a geometric progressionGiven in the exam

T_{n} = ar^{\,n-1}

When to use: n-th term of a geometric progression →

5. Sum of n terms of an arithmetic progressionGiven in the exam

S_{n} = \dfrac{n}{2}\big(2a + (n-1)d\big)

When to use: Sum of n terms of an arithmetic progression →

6. Sum of n terms of a geometric progressionGiven in the exam

S_{n} = \dfrac{a(r^{n}-1)}{r-1} = \dfrac{a(1-r^{n})}{1-r},\ r \neq 1

When to use: Sum of n terms of a geometric progression →

Statistics

7. Standard (z) scoreGiven in the exam

Z = \dfrac{X-\mu}{\sigma}

When to use: Standard (z) score →

8. Binomial probabilityGiven in the exam

P(X=r) = {}^{n}C_{r}\, p^{r} q^{\,n-r},\quad p+q=1

When to use: Binomial probability →

9. PermutationsGiven in the exam

{}^{n}P_{r} = \dfrac{n!}{(n-r)!}

When to use: Permutations →

10. CombinationsGiven in the exam

{}^{n}C_{r} = \dfrac{n!}{(n-r)!\,r!}

When to use: Combinations →

11. Price indexGiven in the exam

I = \dfrac{Q_{1}}{Q_{0}} \times 100

When to use: Price index →

12. Composite indexGiven in the exam

\bar{I} = \dfrac{\sum W_{i} I_{i}}{\sum W_{i}}

When to use: Composite index →

Trigonometry

13. Pythagorean identityGiven in the exam

\sin^{2}A + \cos^{2}A = 1

When to use: Pythagorean identity →

14. Identity for sec squaredGiven in the exam

\sec^{2}A = 1 + \tan^{2}A

When to use: Identity for sec squared →

15. Identity for cosec squaredGiven in the exam

\operatorname{cosec}^{2}A = 1 + \cot^{2}A

When to use: Identity for cosec squared →

16. Sine of a sum or differenceGiven in the exam

\sin(A \pm B) = \sin A\cos B \pm \cos A\sin B

When to use: Sine of a sum or difference →

17. Cosine of a sum or differenceGiven in the exam

\cos(A \pm B) = \cos A\cos B \mp \sin A\sin B

When to use: Cosine of a sum or difference →

18. Tangent of a sum or differenceGiven in the exam

\tan(A \pm B) = \dfrac{\tan A \pm \tan B}{1 \mp \tan A\tan B}

When to use: Tangent of a sum or difference →

19. Double angle: sin 2AGiven in the exam

\sin 2A = 2\sin A\cos A

When to use: Double angle: sin 2A →

20. Double angle: cos 2AGiven in the exam

\cos 2A = \cos^{2}A - \sin^{2}A = 2\cos^{2}A - 1 = 1 - 2\sin^{2}A

When to use: Double angle: cos 2A →

21. Double angle: tan 2AGiven in the exam

\tan 2A = \dfrac{2\tan A}{1 - \tan^{2}A}

When to use: Double angle: tan 2A →

Geometry

22. Sine ruleGiven in the exam

\dfrac{a}{\sin A} = \dfrac{b}{\sin B} = \dfrac{c}{\sin C}

When to use: Sine rule →

23. Cosine ruleGiven in the exam

a^{2} = b^{2} + c^{2} - 2bc\cos A

When to use: Cosine rule →

24. Area of a triangleGiven in the exam

\text{Area} = \tfrac{1}{2}\,ab\sin C

When to use: Area of a triangle →

Learn how and when to use each formula, 1-to-1.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the formula list given in the SPM Add Math exam?

Yes, a printed list of 24 formulae is provided with the exam. All other formulae must be memorised.

Which calculator can I use?

A non-programmable scientific calculator is allowed.

Source:SRC-FORMAT

Written by the spmaddmath.com.my editorial team.· Last updated 5 September 2026