Grade 8 Mathematics — Chapter Notes
Sri Lanka Educational Publications Department Covers all 30 chapters (Part I & Part II)
PART I — Chapters 1–14
Chapter 1: Number Patterns
Key Concepts:
A number pattern is a list of numbers arranged in a specific order according to a rule.
Each number in a pattern is called a term (1st term, 2nd term, etc.).
Finite patterns have a countable number of terms (e.g., 3, 5, 7, 9, 11).
Infinite patterns go on forever, shown with “…” (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, …).
The General Term (nth term):
When the nth term of a pattern is written as an algebraic expression in n, it is called the
general term.
Using the general term, any term in the pattern can be found.
Example: Multiples of 2 → General term = 2n → 10th term = 2 × 10 = 20.
Key Rules:
Terms do NOT have to be in ascending order.
Terms do NOT have to be different from each other.
The same first few terms can belong to more than one pattern.
Chapter 2: Perimeter
Key Concepts:
Perimeter = the total length of the boundary of a plane figure.
Found by adding the lengths of all sides.
Formulas:
Rectangle: P = 2(l + b)
Square: P = 4a
Composite rectilinear figures: Add all outer side lengths (find unknown sides using given
measurements).
Tips:
For composite shapes, identify missing sides by comparing parallel sides.
Perimeter is always measured in length units (cm, m, etc.).
Chapter 3: Angles
Types of Angles (Review):
Angle Range
Acute Less than 90°
Right Exactly 90°
Obtuse Between 90° and 180°
Straight Exactly 180°
Reflex Between 180° and 360°
New Concepts:
Complementary angles: Two angles that add up to 90°.
Supplementary angles: Two angles that add up to 180°.
Adjacent angles: Two angles that share a common arm and vertex.
Vertically opposite angles: Formed when two lines intersect; they are equal.
Sum of angles on one side of a straight line = 180°.
Sum of angles around a point = 360°.
Chapter 4: Directed Numbers
Key Concepts:
Directed numbers have both magnitude (size) and direction (+/−).
Positive numbers lie to the right of 0 on the number line; negative to the left.
The magnitude of a directed number is its distance from zero.
Operations:
Subtraction: Subtracting a negative = adding a positive. e.g., (+3) − (−2) = +5
Multiplication Rules:
(+) × (+) = (+)
(−) × (−) = (+)
(+) × (−) = (−)
(−) × (+) = (−)
Division Rules: Same sign rules as multiplication.
Chapter 5: Algebraic Expressions
Key Concepts:
An unknown constant: a fixed value that is not known.
A variable: a quantity that can change.
Letters (a, b, x, y, …) represent unknowns or variables.
Coefficient: the numerical part of an algebraic term (e.g., in 3x, the coefficient is 3).
New Skills:
Construct algebraic expressions with up to 3 unknown terms.
Multiply an expression by a number: e.g., 3(2x + y) = 6x + 3y.
Simplify by collecting like terms: e.g., 3x + 5x = 8x.
Substitute values into expressions to find numerical answers.
Distributive Law: a(b + c) = ab + ac
Chapter 6: Solids
Key Concepts:
A solid occupies space and has plane or curved surfaces.
Euler’s Relationship: For any polyhedron → Faces + Vertices − Edges = 2.
Platonic Solids (New):
Solid Faces Edges Vertices
Regular Tetrahedron 4 6 4
Cube 6 12 8
Regular Octahedron 8 12 6
Regular Dodecahedron 12 30 20
Regular Icosahedron 20 30 12
All faces of a Platonic solid are identical regular polygons.
All Platonic solids satisfy Euler’s Relationship (F + V − E = 2).
Chapter 7: Factors
Key Concepts:
HCF (Highest Common Factor): The largest number that divides all given numbers.
Found by expressing each number as a product of prime factors, then taking common
primes.
Algebraic HCF:
Find HCF of algebraic terms: e.g., HCF of 6x²y and 4xy² = 2xy.
Factorisation: Writing an expression as a product of factors.
e.g., 6x + 9y = 3(2x + 3y) → HCF 3 is taken outside the bracket.
Verification: Multiply back to check the original expression is obtained.
Chapter 8: Square Root
Key Concepts:
The square of a number = number × itself (e.g., 5² = 25).
A perfect square = the square of a positive integer (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, …).
The square root of a perfect square n = the number which when squared gives n.
e.g., √16 = 4, √81 = 9.
Squares of 1–20: (memorise) 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121, 144, 169, 196, 225,
256, 289, 324, 361, 400.
Finding Square Root by Prime Factorisation:
Write the number as a product of prime factors.
Group identical factors in pairs.
Take one factor from each pair and multiply them.
e.g., √36 = √(2×2×3×3) = 2×3 = 6.
Digit Clue for Units Digit of Square Root:
Perfect squares ending in 1 → root ends in 1 or 9
Ending in 4 → root ends in 2 or 8
Ending in 9 → root ends in 3 or 7
Ending in 6 → root ends in 4 or 6
Ending in 5 → root ends in 5
Chapter 9: Mass
Units of Mass:
Unit Equivalent
1g 1000 mg
1 kg 1000 g
1 t (metric ton) 1000 kg
Key Operations:
Convert tonnes → kg: multiply by 1000.
Convert kg → tonnes: divide by 1000.
Adding and subtracting masses: align columns (t, kg); carry/borrow as needed.
Multiplying: e.g., 5 t 120 kg × 12 = 61 t 440 kg.
Dividing: Convert to kg first if needed.
Decimal form: 3 t 750 kg = 3.750 t = 3750 kg.
Chapter 10: Indices
Key Rules (Review from Grade 7):
aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ
aᵐ ÷ aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ
(aᵐ)ⁿ = aᵐⁿ
New Rules:
Power of a product: (a × b)ⁿ = aⁿ × bⁿ
e.g., (2 × 3)² = 2² × 3² = 4 × 9 = 36.
Product of powers as a power of a product: aⁿ × bⁿ = (a × b)ⁿ.
Negative bases: (−a)ⁿ is positive if n is even; negative if n is odd.
e.g., (−2)³ = −8; (−2)⁴ = +16.
Chapter 11: Symmetry
Bilateral (Line) Symmetry (Review):
A figure is bilaterally symmetrical if it can be folded along a line (axis of symmetry) so
both halves coincide exactly.
Rotational Symmetry (New):
A figure has rotational symmetry if it maps onto itself during a rotation of less than
360° about its centre.
The order of rotational symmetry = the number of times the figure maps onto itself in
a full 360° rotation.
A figure with order 1 has NO rotational symmetry.
Relationship:
For regular polygons: number of axes of bilateral symmetry = order of rotational
symmetry.
e.g., equilateral triangle → 3 axes of symmetry, order 3.
Square → 4 axes, order 4.
Chapter 12: Triangles and Quadrilaterals
Triangle Angle Sum:
Sum of interior angles of a triangle = 180°.
Sum of exterior angles of a triangle = 360°.
Types of Triangles:
By sides: Equilateral (all equal), Isosceles (two equal), Scalene (all unequal).
By angles: Acute, Right, Obtuse.
Quadrilateral Angle Sum:
Sum of interior angles of a quadrilateral = 360°.
Sum of exterior angles = 360°.
Special Quadrilaterals: Square, Rectangle, Parallelogram, Rhombus, Trapezium, Kite —
each with specific angle and side properties.
Chapter 13: Fractions (Part I)
Key Concepts (Review + New):
Proper fraction: numerator < denominator.
Improper fraction: numerator ≥ denominator.
Mixed number: whole number + proper fraction.
Multiplication of Fractions:
Fraction × fraction: multiply numerators, multiply denominators.
e.g., 3/4 × 2/5 = 6/20 = 3/10.
Simplify by cancelling common factors before multiplying.
Fraction × whole number: Write whole number as a fraction (e.g., 4 = 4/1).
Mixed numbers: Convert to improper fractions first, then multiply.
Commutative Property: a/b × c/d = c/d × a/b.
Chapter 14: Fractions (Part II)
Reciprocal:
The reciprocal of a/b = b/a.
Any number × its reciprocal = 1.
e.g., reciprocal of 3/5 is 5/3; reciprocal of 4 is 1/4.
Division of Fractions:
Dividing by a fraction = multiplying by its reciprocal.
a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c.
Fraction ÷ whole number: e.g., 3/4 ÷ 2 = 3/4 × 1/2 = 3/8.
Whole number ÷ fraction: e.g., 2 ÷ 1/4 = 2 × 4 = 8.
Mixed numbers: Convert to improper fractions first.
PART II — Chapters 15–30
Chapter 15: Decimal Numbers
Key Concepts (Review + New):
Convert fraction → decimal: make denominator a power of 10 using equivalent fractions.
e.g., 3/25 = 12/100 = 0.12.
Multiplication:
Whole number × decimal: Ignore decimal, multiply as whole numbers, then place
decimal point.
e.g., 8 × 1.2 = 8 × 12 ÷ 10 = 9.6.
Decimal × decimal: Count total decimal places in both numbers; place that many
decimal places in the answer.
Division:
Whole number ÷ decimal: e.g., 48 ÷ 0.8 = 480 ÷ 8 = 60.
Decimal ÷ decimal: Multiply both by a power of 10 to make the divisor a whole number.
Chapter 16: Ratios
Key Concepts (Review + New):
A ratio compares two or more quantities of the same unit.
Written in simplest form when HCF of all terms = 1.
A ratio can be represented as a fraction: a : b = a/b.
Continued Ratios:
Comparing three quantities: a : b : c.
Combining two ratios: e.g., if A:B = 2:3 and B:C = 3:4, then A:B:C = 2:3:4.
To combine ratios where B values differ, find equivalent ratios with equal B values.
Solving Problems:
Divide a quantity in a given ratio by finding the value of one share.
Total shares = sum of ratio parts; one share = total ÷ sum.
Chapter 17: Equations
Key Concepts:
A simple equation has one unknown of index 1.
Solving: Find the value of the unknown that makes both sides equal.
Solution: The value satisfying the equation; simple equations have exactly one solution.
Methods:
Add/subtract the same value from both sides.
Multiply/divide both sides by the same non-zero value.
Brackets: Expand first, then solve. e.g., 2(x + 8) = 26 → 2x + 16 = 26 → x = 5.
Fractional equations: Multiply both sides by the denominator.
Check: Substitute answer back into original equation to verify.
Chapter 18: Percentages
Key Conversions:
Fraction → Percentage: multiply by 100%.
e.g., 1/4 × 100% = 25%.
Percentage → Fraction: divide by 100.
e.g., 75% = 75/100 = 3/4.
Percentage → Decimal: divide by 100.
e.g., 36% = 0.36.
Ratios and Percentages:
Convert a ratio to a percentage: make second term 100.
e.g., 3:4 → 75:100 → 75%.
Calculations:
x% of a quantity = (x/100) × quantity.
Finding the total: if p% = given amount, total = given ÷ (p/100).
Chapter 19: Sets
Key Concepts:
A set is a collection of identifiable objects (elements/members).
Written as: A = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9} using curly brackets.
Each element is written only once.
Symbols:
∈ means “is an element of” (e.g., 3 ∈ A).
∉ means “is not an element of”.
Null set (empty set): A set with no elements; written as { } or ∅.
n(A): The number of elements in set A.
Types:
Finite set: Has a countable number of elements.
Infinite set: Has infinitely many elements.
Chapter 20: Area
Formulas:
Rectangle: A = length × breadth (l × b).
Square: A = side² (a²).
Triangle (New): A = ½ × base × height.
The height must be perpendicular to the base.
Surface Area (New):
Cube: SA = 6 × side² = 6a².
Cuboid: SA = 2(lb + bh + lh).
Composite Figures:
Divide into rectangles, squares, and triangles.
Add or subtract areas accordingly.
Chapter 21: Time
Key Concepts:
Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours → 15° per hour.
Time Zones: Earth is divided into 24 zones.
Zones east of 0° (Prime Meridian) are ahead in time (+).
Zones west are behind (−).
Zone width = 15° of longitude.
Standard Time:
Each zone differs by 1 hour from the adjacent zone.
Sri Lanka is in the +5:30 time zone.
International Date Line (180° meridian):
Crossing eastward → subtract one day.
Crossing westward → add one day.
Daylight Saving Time:
Some countries set clocks 1 hour forward in summer to maximise daylight.
Chapter 22: Volume and Capacity
Volume Formulas:
Cube: V = a³ (a = side length).
Cuboid: V = length × breadth × height.
Units: cm³, m³.
Capacity:
Capacity = the amount a container can hold.
1 cm³ = 1 ml (key relationship).
1000 cm³ = 1 litre (L).
1 m³ = 1000 litres.
Solving Problems:
How many small boxes fit in a large box: divide volumes (check each dimension fits).
Chapter 23: Circles
Key Concepts:
A circle has infinitely many axes of symmetry (all pass through the centre).
Radius: Line from centre to any point on the circle.
Diameter: Line through centre joining two points on the circle = 2 × radius.
Chord: A line segment joining any two points on the circle.
Arc: A part of the circumference.
Segment: Region between a chord and the arc.
Sector: Region between two radii and the arc.
Important: All radii of the same circle are equal in length.
Chapter 24: Location of a Place
Key Concepts:
Location is described by direction and distance from a reference point.
Directions: North (N), South (S), East (E), West (W), and sub-directions (NE, NW, SE,
SW).
Bearings:
Direction can be expressed as degrees measured from North, e.g., N40°E means 40°
from North towards East.
A place can be located exactly by specifying the angle (direction) and distance.
Sketching:
Draw a North line at the reference point.
Mark the angle of direction.
Mark the distance to scale.
Chapter 25: The Number Line and Cartesian Plane
Number Line:
Fractions and decimals can be marked on the number line.
Used to compare numbers: numbers to the right are greater.
Inequalities (e.g., x > 3) are represented as a ray on the number line.
Open circle for strict inequalities (>, <); filled circle for ≥ or ≤.
Cartesian Plane:
Two perpendicular number lines: x-axis (horizontal) and y-axis (vertical).
Meet at the origin (0, 0).
A point is described as (x, y) — x-coordinate first, then y-coordinate.
Lines Parallel to Axes:
Points on a line parallel to the y-axis have the same x-coordinate (e.g., x = 2).
Points on a line parallel to the x-axis have the same y-coordinate (e.g., y = 3).
Chapter 26: Construction of Triangles
Triangle Inequality:
The sum of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the third side.
This must be checked before constructing.
Construction (3 sides given — SSS):
1. Draw base AB of given length.
2. Set compasses to second side length; draw arc from A.
3. Set compasses to third side length; draw arc from B.
4. Mark intersection point C.
5. Join A–C and B–C.
Tools needed: Ruler, compasses, pencil.
Chapter 27: Data Representation and Interpretation
Stem and Leaf Diagram:
Organises data using the tens digit as the stem and units digit as the leaf.
Easy to read minimum, maximum, and range.
Back-to-back stem and leaf: Compares two data sets.
Measures:
Mode: Most frequent value.
Median: Middle value when data is arranged in order.
Odd number of values: middle one.
Even number: average of two middle values.
Mean: Sum of all values ÷ number of values.
Range: Maximum − Minimum.
Chapter 28: Scale Diagrams
Key Concepts:
A scale diagram represents an object with all lengths reduced or enlarged by the same
ratio.
Scale: written as ratio, e.g., 1 : 100 (1 cm on diagram = 100 cm actual).
Calculations:
Actual length = diagram length × scale factor.
Diagram length = actual length ÷ scale factor.
Example: Scale 1 : 200; diagram length = 3 cm → actual = 3 × 200 = 600 cm = 6 m.
Maps: Scale 1 : 50 000 means 1 cm on map = 50 000 cm = 500 m in reality.
Chapter 29: Probability
Classification of Events:
Certain events: Probability = 1 (e.g., sun rises from east).
Impossible events: Probability = 0.
Random events: Probability is between 0 and 1.
Experimental Probability:
Based on actual trials: P(event) = number of times event occurred ÷ total number of
trials.
As the number of trials increases, experimental probability approaches theoretical
probability.
Theoretical Probability:
Based on equally likely outcomes: P(event) = number of favourable outcomes ÷ total
possible outcomes.
e.g., P(rolling a 3 on a die) = 1/6.
Sample Space: The set of all possible outcomes of an experiment.
Chapter 30: Tessellation
Key Concepts:
Tessellation: Covering a plane with shapes in a repeated pattern with no gaps and no
overlaps.
The sum of angles meeting at each vertex = 360°.
Types:
Regular tessellation: Uses only one type of regular polygon.
Only 3 regular tessellations exist: equilateral triangles (60°×6), squares (90°×4),
regular hexagons (120°×3).
Semi-regular tessellation: Uses two or more types of regular polygons in the same
arrangement at every vertex.
Condition: The interior angles of the chosen shapes must add up to exactly 360° at every
vertex point.
Quick Reference — Key Formulas
Topic Formula
Perimeter of rectangle P = 2(l + b)
Area of rectangle A=l×b
Area of triangle A=½×b×h
Surface area of cube SA = 6a²
Surface area of cuboid SA = 2(lb + bh + lh)
Volume of cube V = a³
Volume of cuboid V=l×b×h
Probability P = favourable ÷ total outcomes
Mean Sum of values ÷ number of values
General term (multiples of n) nth term = n × term number
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