All IGCSE Business Formulae: The Ultimate Formula Sheet for IGCSE Business Studies
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on IGCSE Business formulae! This resource is designed for students and teachers alike and covers all the key formulas you need—from revenue and cost calculations to break‑even analysis, profit margins, productivity ratios, and liquidity ratios.
Whether you’re searching for “igcse business formulas,” “business igcse formulas,” “IGCSE Business Studies formula sheet,” or “all IGCSE business formulas,” you’ll find all the information you need in one convenient reference.
Introduction
In IGCSE Business Studies, understanding the relationships between revenue, costs, and profits—as well as knowing how to evaluate a company’s financial performance—is essential. This guide compiles every key formula you will need for your exam and real‑world business analysis.
1. Revenue, Cost, and Profit
- Revenue: Quantity sold × Price
- Profit: Revenue − Cost of sales
- Profit (from Break‑Even Graph): Total Revenue − Total Costs (or \(TR – TA\))
- Total Costs: Fixed Costs + Variable Costs (or \(FC + VC\))
2. Productivity
- Productivity: Output ÷ Quantity of input
- Labor Productivity: Output ÷ Number of employees
3. Working Capital & Capital Employed
- Working Capital: Current Assets − Current Liabilities
- Capital Employed (or Shareholder’s Funds): Total Assets − Total Liabilities
4. Cost and Break‑Even Analysis
- Average Cost: Total Costs ÷ Total Number of units produced
-
Break‑Even Point (units): Fixed Costs ÷ (Selling Price − Variable Costs)
(i.e., \(BE = \frac{FC}{SP - VC}\)) - Contribution per Unit: Selling Price − Variable Costs
- Margin of Safety: Maximum Output − Break‑Even Output
5. Markup & Profit Margins
- Gross Profit: Revenue − Cost of sales (or Variable Costs)
- Gross Profit Margin (%): \(\frac{\text{Gross Profit}}{\text{Revenue}} \times 100\)
- Net Profit: Gross Profit − Expenses (or Fixed Costs)
- Net Profit Margin (%): \(\frac{\text{Net Profit}}{\text{Revenue}} \times 100\)
6. Return on Investment (ROI)
- Return on Capital Employed (ROCE): \(\frac{\text{Net Profit}}{\text{Capital Invested}} \times 100\)
7. Liquidity Ratios
- Current Ratio: Current Assets ÷ Current Liabilities
- Safe Current Ratio: Typically 2:1 or 3:1
- Acid Test Ratio (Quick Ratio): \(\frac{\text{Current Assets} - \text{Inventory}}{\text{Current Liabilities}}\)
- Safe Acid Test Ratio: Approximately 1.5:1
8. IGCSE Business Formulae Summary
Here’s a quick-reference summary of all the key formulas:
- Revenue: Quantity sold × Price
- Productivity: Output ÷ Quantity of input
- Labor Productivity: Output ÷ Number of employees
- Working Capital: Current Assets − Current Liabilities
- Capital Employed: Total Assets − Total Liabilities
- Profit: Revenue − Cost of sales
- Profit (Break‑Even): Total Revenue − Total Costs (or \(TR – TA\))
- Total Costs: Fixed Costs + Variable Costs (or \(FC + VC\))
- Average Cost: Total Costs ÷ Total units produced
- Break‑Even Point (units): \( \frac{FC}{SP - VC} \)
- Contribution per Unit: Selling Price − Variable Costs
- Margin of Safety: Maximum Output − Break‑Even Output
- Gross Profit: Revenue − Cost of sales
- Gross Profit Margin (%): \(\frac{\text{Gross Profit}}{\text{Revenue}} \times 100\)
- Net Profit: Gross Profit − Expenses
- Net Profit Margin (%): \(\frac{\text{Net Profit}}{\text{Revenue}} \times 100\)
- Return on Capital Employed (%): \(\frac{\text{Net Profit}}{\text{Capital Invested}} \times 100\)
- Current Ratio: Current Assets ÷ Current Liabilities
- Acid Test Ratio: \(\frac{\text{Current Assets} - \text{Inventory}}{\text{Current Liabilities}}\)
9. Tips for Using the Formula Sheet Effectively
- Practice Regularly: Work through past exam questions to become comfortable with applying these formulas.
- Create Flashcards: Write each formula and an example on flashcards to reinforce your memory.
- Group Study: Discuss problems and solutions with classmates to enhance your understanding.
- Use Real-World Examples: Relate formulas to actual business scenarios to see their practical applications.
- Revise Frequently: Regular revision will help solidify your understanding of these essential business formulas.
50 Detailed Examples with Solutions: All IGCSE Business Formulae
(Note: Mathematical formulas are rendered using MathJax/LaTeX syntax. Ensure MathJax is enabled on your site for proper display.)
Example 1: Calculating Total Revenue
Problem: A company sells a product for \$10 per unit. If 200 units are sold, what is the total revenue?
Solution: Use the formula:
\( \text{Total Revenue } (TR) = P \times Q \)
Here, \( P = 10 \) and \( Q = 200 \). Thus,
\( TR = 10 \times 200 = 2000 \).
Total Revenue = \$2,000
Example 2: Calculating Total Revenue
Problem: If a product is sold at \$25 per unit and 150 units are sold, calculate the total revenue.
Solution:
\( TR = P \times Q = 25 \times 150 = 3750 \).
Total Revenue = \$3,750
Example 3: Calculating Productivity
Problem: A factory produces 500 units using 250 units of input. What is the productivity?
Solution: Use the formula:
\( \text{Productivity} = \frac{\text{Output}}{\text{Quantity of Input}} \)
\( = \frac{500}{250} = 2 \).
Productivity = 2 units per unit of input
Example 4: Calculating Labor Productivity
Problem: A business produces 1000 items using 50 employees. What is the labor productivity?
Solution:
\( \text{Labor Productivity} = \frac{\text{Output}}{\text{Number of Employees}} = \frac{1000}{50} = 20 \).
Labor Productivity = 20 items per employee
Example 5: Calculating Working Capital
Problem: A company has current assets of \$50,000 and current liabilities of \$30,000. What is the working capital?
Solution:
\( \text{Working Capital} = \text{Current Assets} - \text{Current Liabilities} = 50000 - 30000 = 20000 \).
Working Capital = \$20,000
Example 6: Calculating Capital Employed
Problem: If a company has total assets of \$150,000 and total liabilities of \$90,000, what is the capital employed?
Solution:
\( \text{Capital Employed} = \text{Total Assets} - \text{Total Liabilities} = 150000 - 90000 = 60000 \).
Capital Employed = \$60,000
Example 7: Calculating Profit
Problem: A company generates revenue of \$8,000 and the cost of sales is \$5,000. What is the profit?
Solution:
\( \text{Profit} = \text{Revenue} - \text{Cost of Sales} = 8000 - 5000 = 3000 \).
Profit = \$3,000
Example 8: Calculating Profit (Break-Even Analysis)
Problem: If a company’s total revenue is \$10,000 and its total costs are \$7,500, what is the profit?
Solution:
\( \text{Profit} = \text{Total Revenue} - \text{Total Costs} = 10000 - 7500 = 2500 \).
Profit = \$2,500
Example 9: Calculating Total Costs
Problem: A business has fixed costs of \$2,000 and variable costs of \$3,500. Calculate the total costs.
Solution:
\( \text{Total Costs} = FC + VC = 2000 + 3500 = 5500 \).
Total Costs = \$5,500
Example 10: Calculating Average Cost
Problem: If total costs are \$10,000 and 500 units are produced, what is the average cost per unit?
Solution:
\( \text{Average Cost} = \frac{\text{Total Costs}}{\text{Total Units Produced}} = \frac{10000}{500} = 20 \).
Average Cost = \$20 per unit
Example 11: Calculating the Break-Even Point (Units)
Problem: A company has fixed costs of \$4,000. The selling price per unit is \$50 and the variable cost per unit is \$30. Determine the break-even point in units.
Solution:
First, compute the contribution per unit:
\( \text{Contribution per Unit} = SP - VC = 50 - 30 = 20 \).
Then, the break-even point is:
\( BE = \frac{FC}{Contribution\ per\ Unit} = \frac{4000}{20} = 200 \) units.
Break-Even Point = 200 units
Example 12: Calculating Contribution per Unit
Problem: If the selling price is \$75 and the variable cost per unit is \$45, what is the contribution per unit?
Solution:
\( Contribution\ per\ Unit = SP - VC = 75 - 45 = 30 \).
Contribution per Unit = \$30
Example 13: Calculating the Margin of Safety
Problem: A company has a maximum production capacity of 1000 units and a break-even output of 600 units. What is the margin of safety?
Solution:
\( Margin\ of\ Safety = Maximum\ Output - Break-even\ Output = 1000 - 600 = 400 \) units.
Margin of Safety = 400 units
Example 14: Calculating Gross Profit
Problem: If a company’s revenue is \$12,000 and its cost of sales is \$7,000, what is the gross profit?
Solution:
\( Gross\ Profit = Revenue - Cost\ of\ Sales = 12000 - 7000 = 5000 \).
Gross Profit = \$5,000
Example 15: Calculating Gross Profit Margin (%)
Problem: With a gross profit of \$5,000 on revenue of \$12,000, what is the gross profit margin percentage?
Solution:
\( Gross\ Profit\ Margin \% = \frac{Gross\ Profit}{Revenue} \times 100 = \frac{5000}{12000} \times 100 \approx 41.67\% \).
Gross Profit Margin ≈ 41.67%
Example 16: Calculating Net Profit
Problem: A company has a gross profit of \$5,000 and fixed expenses of \$1,500. What is the net profit?
Solution:
\( Net\ Profit = Gross\ Profit - Fixed\ Expenses = 5000 - 1500 = 3500 \).
Net Profit = \$3,500
Example 17: Calculating Net Profit Margin (%)
Problem: Given a net profit of \$3,500 and revenue of \$12,000, calculate the net profit margin.
Solution:
\( Net\ Profit\ Margin \% = \frac{Net\ Profit}{Revenue} \times 100 = \frac{3500}{12000} \times 100 \approx 29.17\% \).
Net Profit Margin ≈ 29.17%
Example 18: Calculating Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
Problem: A business has a net profit of \$3,500 and capital invested of \$35,000. Calculate the ROCE.
Solution:
\( ROCE = \frac{Net\ Profit}{Capital\ Invested} \times 100 = \frac{3500}{35000} \times 100 = 10\% \).
ROCE = 10%
Example 19: Calculating the Current Ratio
Problem: If a company has current assets of \$40,000 and current liabilities of \$20,000, what is the current ratio?
Solution:
\( Current\ Ratio = \frac{Current\ Assets}{Current\ Liabilities} = \frac{40000}{20000} = 2 \).
Current Ratio = 2:1
Example 20: Calculating the Acid Test Ratio
Problem: A company has current assets of \$50,000, inventory of \$10,000, and current liabilities of \$25,000. What is the Acid Test Ratio?
Solution:
\( Quick\ Ratio = \frac{Current\ Assets - Inventory}{Current\ Liabilities} = \frac{50000 - 10000}{25000} = \frac{40000}{25000} = 1.6 \).
Acid Test Ratio = 1.6:1 (a safe ratio is around 1.5:1)
Example 21: Calculating Depreciation Expense
Problem: An asset costs \$20,000, has a residual value of \$2,000, and a useful life of 6 years. Calculate the annual depreciation expense.
Solution:
\( Depreciation = \frac{Cost - Residual\ Value}{Useful\ Life} = \frac{20000 - 2000}{6} = \frac{18000}{6} = 3000 \).
Annual Depreciation Expense = \$3,000
Example 22: Calculating Sales Growth Rate
Problem: Last year, a company had sales of \$80,000, and this year sales increased to \$100,000. What is the sales growth rate?
Solution:
\( Sales\ Growth\ \% = \frac{Current\ Sales - Previous\ Sales}{Previous\ Sales} \times 100 = \frac{100000 - 80000}{80000} \times 100 = \frac{20000}{80000} \times 100 = 25\% \).
Sales Growth Rate = 25%
Example 23: Calculating Market Share
Problem: A company’s sales are \$50,000 in a market where total sales are \$500,000. What is its market share?
Solution:
\( Market\ Share\ \% = \frac{Company's\ Sales}{Total\ Market\ Sales} \times 100 = \frac{50000}{500000} \times 100 = 10\% \).
Market Share = 10%
Example 24: Calculating the Asset Turnover Ratio
Problem: A company has total revenue of \$120,000 and total assets of \$60,000. What is the asset turnover ratio?
Solution:
\( Asset\ Turnover = \frac{Revenue}{Total\ Assets} = \frac{120000}{60000} = 2 \).
Asset Turnover Ratio = 2
Example 25: Calculating the Inventory Turnover Ratio
Problem: A company’s cost of goods sold is \$90,000, and its average inventory is \$15,000. What is its inventory turnover ratio?
Solution:
\( Inventory\ Turnover = \frac{Cost\ of\ Goods\ Sold}{Average\ Inventory} = \frac{90000}{15000} = 6 \).
Inventory Turnover Ratio = 6 times per period
Example 26: Another Revenue Calculation
Problem: A firm sells 350 units of a product at \$18 per unit. Calculate the total revenue.
Solution:
\( TR = 18 \times 350 = 6300 \).
Total Revenue = \$6,300
Example 27: Detailed Break-Even Analysis
Problem: A company has fixed costs of \$5,000. Its selling price per unit is \$40, and the variable cost per unit is \$25. Determine:
- Contribution per unit
- Break-even point (units)
Solution:
Contribution per unit:
\( C = SP - VC = 40 - 25 = 15 \)
Break-even point:
\( BE = \frac{FC}{C} = \frac{5000}{15} \approx 333.33 \) units (approximately 334 units when rounded up).
Break-Even Point ≈ 334 units
Example 28: Calculating Markup Percentage
Problem: A product costs \$20 to produce. It is sold for \$30. What is the markup percentage?
Solution:
\( \text{Markup \%} = \frac{SP - C_p}{C_p} \times 100 = \frac{30 - 20}{20} \times 100 = \frac{10}{20} \times 100 = 50\% \).
Markup Percentage = 50%
Example 29: Another Markup Calculation
Problem: If the cost price is \$45 and the selling price is \$60, calculate the markup percentage.
Solution:
\( \text{Markup \%} = \frac{60 - 45}{45} \times 100 = \frac{15}{45} \times 100 \approx 33.33\% \).
Markup Percentage ≈ 33.33%
Example 30: Calculating Profit Margin
Problem: A company has a profit of \$4,500 on revenue of \$15,000. What is the profit margin percentage?
Solution:
\( \text{Profit Margin \%} = \frac{4500}{15000} \times 100 = 30\% \).
Profit Margin = 30%
Example 31: Calculating Net Profit Margin
Problem: If a business has a net profit of \$3,000 and revenue of \$12,000, what is the net profit margin?
Solution:
\( \text{Net Profit Margin \%} = \frac{3000}{12000} \times 100 = 25\% \).
Net Profit Margin = 25%
Example 32: Calculating Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
Problem: With a net profit of \$2,800 and capital invested of \$28,000, calculate the ROCE.
Solution:
\( ROCE = \frac{2800}{28000} \times 100 = 10\% \).
ROCE = 10%
Example 33: Calculating Working Capital
Problem: A business reports current assets of \$70,000 and current liabilities of \$40,000. What is its working capital?
Solution:
\( Working\ Capital = 70000 - 40000 = 30000 \).
Working Capital = \$30,000
Example 34: Calculating the Current Ratio
Problem: With current assets of \$90,000 and current liabilities of \$45,000, what is the current ratio?
Solution:
\( \text{Current Ratio} = \frac{90000}{45000} = 2 \).
Current Ratio = 2:1
Example 35: Calculating the Acid Test (Quick) Ratio
Problem: A company has current assets of \$80,000, inventory worth \$20,000, and current liabilities of \$40,000. What is its quick ratio?
Solution:
\( Quick\ Ratio = \frac{80000 - 20000}{40000} = \frac{60000}{40000} = 1.5 \).
Quick Ratio = 1.5:1
Example 36: Calculating Labor Productivity
Problem: A firm produces 1,200 units with 60 employees. What is its labor productivity?
Solution:
\( Labor\ Productivity = \frac{1200}{60} = 20 \) units per employee.
Labor Productivity = 20 units per employee
Example 37: Calculating General Productivity
Problem: If a factory uses 400 units of input to produce 800 units of output, what is the productivity?
Solution:
\( Productivity = \frac{800}{400} = 2 \).
Productivity = 2 units per unit of input
Example 38: Calculating Average Cost
Problem: Total costs amount to \$25,000 for producing 1000 units. What is the average cost per unit?
Solution:
\( Average\ Cost = \frac{25000}{1000} = 25 \).
Average Cost = \$25 per unit
Example 39: Calculating Contribution per Unit
Problem: A product sells for \$100, and its variable cost per unit is \$70. What is the contribution per unit?
Solution:
\( Contribution\ per\ Unit = 100 - 70 = 30 \).
Contribution per Unit = \$30
Example 40: Calculating Margin of Safety
Problem: A business’s maximum output is 1200 units, and its break-even output is 800 units. What is its margin of safety?
Solution:
\( Margin\ of\ Safety = 1200 - 800 = 400 \) units.
Margin of Safety = 400 units
Example 41: Calculating Sales Growth
Problem: A company's sales grew from \$70,000 last year to \$84,000 this year. What is the percentage growth?
Solution:
\( Sales\ Growth \% = \frac{84000 - 70000}{70000} \times 100 = \frac{14000}{70000} \times 100 = 20\% \).
Sales Growth = 20%
Example 42: Calculating Market Share
Problem: A company makes \$40,000 in sales in a market where total sales are \$400,000. Calculate its market share.
Solution:
\( Market\ Share \% = \frac{40000}{400000} \times 100 = 10\% \).
Market Share = 10%
Example 43: Depreciation Expense Calculation
Problem: An asset costs \$15,000, has a residual value of \$1,500, and a useful life of 5 years. Calculate the annual depreciation expense.
Solution:
\( Depreciation = \frac{15000 - 1500}{5} = \frac{13500}{5} = 2700 \).
Annual Depreciation Expense = \$2,700
Example 44: Calculating Asset Turnover Ratio
Problem: A business earns \$90,000 in revenue and has total assets of \$45,000. What is the asset turnover ratio?
Solution:
\( Asset\ Turnover = \frac{90000}{45000} = 2 \).
Asset Turnover Ratio = 2
Example 45: Calculating Inventory Turnover Ratio
Problem: A company’s cost of goods sold is \$120,000 and its average inventory is \$30,000. What is its inventory turnover ratio?
Solution:
\( Inventory\ Turnover = \frac{120000}{30000} = 4 \).
Inventory Turnover Ratio = 4
Example 46: Combined Break-Even and Profit Calculation
Problem: A business has fixed costs of \$6,000. Its selling price per unit is \$60, and variable cost per unit is \$40. If the company sells 350 units (above the break-even point), calculate the break-even point and the profit for the extra units.
Solution:
First, calculate the contribution per unit:
\( C = 60 - 40 = 20 \)
Then, the break-even point is:
\( BE = \frac{6000}{20} = 300 \) units.
The extra units sold = 350 - 300 = 50 units.
Extra profit = 50 × 20 = \$1,000.
Break-Even Point = 300 units; Extra Profit = \$1,000
Example 47: Calculating Markup and Profit Margin
Problem: A product costs \$35 and is sold at \$50. Calculate both the markup percentage and the gross profit margin if the cost of sales equals the cost price.
Solution:
Markup Percentage:
\( \text{Markup \%} = \frac{50 - 35}{35} \times 100 \approx 42.86\% \)
Gross Profit = \(50 - 35 = 15\).
Gross Profit Margin:
\( \frac{15}{50} \times 100 = 30\% \).
Markup ≈ 42.86%, Gross Profit Margin = 30%
Example 48: ROCE and Working Capital
Problem: A company has a net profit of \$4,000, total assets of \$50,000, and total liabilities of \$20,000. Calculate the capital employed, ROCE, and working capital.
Solution:
Capital Employed = Total Assets − Total Liabilities = \(50,000 - 20,000 = 30,000\).
ROCE = \( \frac{4000}{30000} \times 100 \approx 13.33\% \).
Suppose current assets = \$25,000 and current liabilities = \$10,000, then Working Capital = \(25,000 - 10,000 = 15,000\).
Capital Employed = \$30,000; ROCE ≈ 13.33%; Working Capital = \$15,000
Example 49: Calculating Liquidity Ratios
Problem: A company has current assets of \$100,000, inventory of \$30,000, and current liabilities of \$50,000. Compute the Current Ratio and Acid Test Ratio.
Solution:
Current Ratio = \( \frac{100000}{50000} = 2 \).
Acid Test Ratio = \( \frac{100000 - 30000}{50000} = \frac{70000}{50000} = 1.4 \).
Current Ratio = 2:1; Acid Test Ratio = 1.4:1
Example 50: Comprehensive Business Scenario
Problem: A company produces gadgets with the following details:
- Selling Price per unit (SP): \$80
- Variable Cost per unit (VC): \$50
- Fixed Costs (FC): \$10,000
- Total Units Produced: 500
- Total Assets: \$60,000; Total Liabilities: \$25,000
- Current Assets: \$20,000; Current Liabilities: \$10,000
Calculate:
- Total Revenue
- Total Costs and Profit
- Break-Even Point (units)
- Gross Profit Margin (if cost of sales = total variable cost)
- Net Profit Margin (assume fixed costs are the only other expenses)
- Working Capital and Current Ratio
- Capital Employed and ROCE (assume net profit is profit after fixed costs)
Solution:
(1) Total Revenue: Assuming all 500 units are sold,
\( TR = 80 \times 500 = 40000 \).
(2) Total Costs: Variable Costs = \( VC \times \) units = \(50 \times 500 = 25000\).
Total Costs = Fixed Costs + Variable Costs = \(10000 + 25000 = 35000\).
Profit = Revenue − Total Costs = \(40000 - 35000 = 5000\).
(3) Break-Even Point (units):
Contribution per unit = \( SP - VC = 80 - 50 = 30 \).
\( BE = \frac{FC}{SP - VC} = \frac{10000}{30} \approx 333.33 \) units (approximately 334 units).
(4) Gross Profit Margin: Gross Profit = Revenue − Variable Costs = \(40000 - 25000 = 15000\).
\( \text{Gross Profit Margin \%} = \frac{15000}{40000} \times 100 = 37.5\% \).
(5) Net Profit Margin: Net Profit = Profit (assumed after fixed costs) = \$5,000.
\( \text{Net Profit Margin \%} = \frac{5000}{40000} \times 100 = 12.5\% \).
(6) Working Capital: \( WC = Current Assets - Current Liabilities = 20000 - 10000 = 10000 \).
Current Ratio = \( \frac{20000}{10000} = 2 \).
(7) Capital Employed: \( CE = Total Assets - Total Liabilities = 60000 - 25000 = 35000 \).
ROCE = \( \frac{Net Profit}{Capital Employed} \times 100 = \frac{5000}{35000} \times 100 \approx 14.29\% \).
Summary: Revenue = \$40,000; Profit = \$5,000; Break-Even ≈ 334 units; Gross Profit Margin = 37.5%; Net Profit Margin = 12.5%; Working Capital = \$10,000; Current Ratio = 2:1; Capital Employed = \$35,000; ROCE ≈ 14.29%.
Compiled by two00five on reddit
- Revenue : Quantity sold x Price
- Productivity : Output / Quantity of input
- Labor Productivity : Output / Number of employees
- Working Capital : Current Assets – Current Liabilities
- Capital Employed ( or Share holder’s funds ): Total Assets – Total Liabilities
- Profit : Revenue – Cost of sales
- Profit ( from Break even graph ) : Total Revenue – Total Costs or TR – TA
- Total Costs : Fixed Costs + Variable Costs or FC + VC
- Average Cost : Total Costs / Total Number of units produced
- Break even point : Fixed costs / Contribution per unit or FC / ( SP – VC )
- Contribution per unit : Selling price – Variable costs
- Margin of safety : Maximum output – Break even output
- Gross profit : Revenue – Cost of sales ( or Variable costs )
- Gross profit margin : Gross profit / Revenue x 100
- Net profit : Gross profit – Expenses ( or Fixed costs )
- Net profit margin : Net profit / Revenue x 100
- Return on Capital Employed : Net profit / Capital Invested x 100
- Current ratio : Current Assets / Current liabilities
Safest ratio is 2:1 or 3:1 - Acid Test Ratio ( or Quick Ratio ) : Current Assets – Inventory ( or Stock ) / Current Liabilities
Safest ratio is 1.5:1
Remember to give all ratio answers in 2 decimal places without rounding