In the CBSE Class 12 Maths exam 2026, formulas honestly make a bigger difference than most students realise. But that does not mean that you just have to memorise them. You need to be so comfortable with them that the moment you read a question, you know exactly which formula to apply and how to start.
At Aakash, our experts have been guiding thousands of students to not just clear the CBSE Class 12 Maths exam, but to actually ace it. So, here is a guide to help you with all the important algebraic and numerical formulas in one place.
Weightage in CBSE Class 12 Maths Exam 2026
Before you jump into formulas, first analyse and understand where the marks are actually coming from.
The paper is 80 marks in total. And roughly, this is how it’s divided:
| Unit No. | Unit Name | Marks |
| I | Relations and Functions | 08 |
| II | Algebra (Matrices & Determinants) | 10 |
| III | Calculus | 35 |
| IV | Vectors and 3D Geometry | 14 |
| V | Linear Programming | 05 |
| VI | Probability | 08 |
| Total Theory Score | 80 |
Now look at that properly.
Calculus alone is 35 marks. That’s almost half the paper. If your derivative and integration formulas are weak, the paper automatically feels tough. Also, Algebra and Probability together take a decent chunk of marks.
These chapters are not unpredictable. The question style doesn’t change much every year. If your formulas are clear, you won’t feel stuck at the starting step. That’s half the battle in Maths.
Algebraic & Numerical Formulas
You will notice that the same few formulas keep coming back, whether it’s Algebra, Calculus or Probability. So instead of revising them unit by unit, keep them in one list.
Read them. Write them once. Then solve a couple of questions.
Here is a list to help you:
| Topic | Formula |
| All Algebraic Identities Formulas | (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
(a − b)² = a² − 2ab + b² a² − b² = (a − b)(a + b) (a + b)³ = a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b³ (a − b)³ = a³ − 3a²b + 3ab² − b³ |
| Quadratic Equation Formula | x = [−b ± √(b² − 4ac)] / 2a |
| Formula to Solve a Quadratic Equation | Discriminant: D = b² − 4ac |
| Arithmetic Progression Formula | aₙ = a + (n − 1)d |
| Arithmetic Progression All Formula (sum) | Sₙ = n/2 [2a + (n − 1)d]
Sₙ = n/2 (a + l) |
| Sum and Difference Formulas | sin(A ± B) = sinA cosB ± cosA sinB
cos(A ± B) = cosA cosB ∓ sinA sinB |
| Trigonometry Double Angle Formula | sin(2x) = 2 sinx cosx
cos(2x) = cos²x − sin²x tan(2x) = [2 tanx]/[1 − tan²x] |
| Inverse Trig Properties | sin(sin⁻¹ x) = x
cos(cos⁻¹ x) = x tan(tan⁻¹ x) = x |
| Basic Derivative Formulas | d/dx(xⁿ) = nxⁿ⁻¹
d/dx(eˣ) = eˣ d/dx(ln x) = 1/x d/dx(sin x) = cos x d/dx(cos x) = −sin x |
| Basic Integral Formulas | ∫ xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n+1)
∫ eˣ dx = eˣ ∫ (1/x) dx = ln ∫ sin x dx = −cos x ∫ cos x dx = sin x |
| Binomial Theorem Formula | (a + b)ⁿ = Σ ⁿCᵣ aⁿ⁻ʳ bʳ
General Term Tᵣ₊₁ = ⁿCᵣ aⁿ⁻ʳ bʳ |
| Logarithm Formula | log(ab) = loga + logb
log(a/b) = loga − logb log(aⁿ) = n loga |
| Permutation and Combination Formula | ⁿPᵣ = n! / (n − r)!
ⁿCᵣ = n! / [r!(n − r)!] |
| Probability Formula 12th Class | P(E) = Number of favourable outcomes / Total possible outcomes
P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A ∩ B) |
| Conditional Probability Formula | P(A | B) = P(A ∩ B) / P(B) |
Also Read :
- CBSE Class 12 Previous Years’ Question Papers with Solutions
- CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers for Board Exams
- CBSE Class 12 Maths Sample Question Papers with Solutions
- Class 12 Maths CBSE Board Latest Syllabus
Practical Tips to Handle Formulas in Class 12 Maths
Let’s be honest, most students don’t lose marks because they don’t know the formula. They lose marks because they mix it up, forget a sign, or panic midway.
Here’s what actually helps:
- Don’t memorise everything in one go. Break formulas unit-wise. Revise Calculus formulas on one day, Algebra on another.
- Keep a 2–3 page formula sheet. Writing them once yourself helps more than reading a printed list.
- Check signs carefully. In differentiation and trigonometry, one minus sign can cost 2–3 marks.
- Solve 4–5 questions immediately after revising a formula. Otherwise, it won’t stay in memory.
- Before the exam, revise only formulas, not full chapters. This keeps your head clear.
You don’t need shortcuts. You need clarity and repetition.
Conclusion
You see, most of the Class 12 Maths paper runs on formulas. That’s just how it is. So, if the formula is clear in your head, you won’t waste time figuring out how to begin.
Revise them from time to time. Write them down yourself at least once. Solve questions after that. You dont need any out-of-the-box tip or a fancy trick. Just clarity and practice.
FAQs
1. Which unit requires the strongest formula preparation?
Calculus carries the highest weightage, so derivative and integration formulas should be very clear. Algebra and Probability also depend heavily on standard formulas.
2. How many times should I revise formulas before the exam?
Ideally, you should revise them briefly every day during preparation and once properly before every mock test. Small, repeated revision works better than cramming.
3. What is the biggest mistake students make with formulas?
Rushing. Either skipping steps or miswriting a formula under pressure. Writing clean steps reduces this risk and also helps in step marking.
