CBSE Class 10 Maths: Syllabus, Chapters & Sample Practice

Unit I — Number Systems (6 marks)

• Ch 1 Real Numbers

  Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic; revisiting irrational numbers and proofs of irrationality.

Unit II — Algebra (20 marks)

• Ch 2 Polynomials

  Geometrical meaning of the zeroes of a polynomial; relationship between zeroes and coefficients of a quadratic.

• Ch 3 Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables

  Graphical method of solution; algebraic methods — substitution and elimination.

• Ch 4 Quadratic Equations

  Solving by factorisation; nature of roots using the discriminant.

• Ch 5 Arithmetic Progressions

  nth term and the sum of the first n terms of an AP.

Unit III — Coordinate Geometry (6 marks)

• Ch 7 Coordinate Geometry

  Distance formula and the section formula.

Unit IV — Geometry (15 marks)

• Ch 6 Triangles

  Similar figures; similarity of triangles and the criteria for similarity.

• Ch 10 Circles

  Tangent to a circle at a point; number of tangents from a point to a circle.

Unit V — Trigonometry (12 marks)

• Ch 8 Introduction to Trigonometry

  Trigonometric ratios; ratios of specific angles; trigonometric identities.

• Ch 9 Some Applications of Trigonometry

  Heights and distances.

Unit VI — Mensuration (10 marks)

• Ch 11 Areas Related to Circles

  Areas of the sector and segment of a circle.

• Ch 12 Surface Areas and Volumes

  Surface area and volume of combinations of solids.

Unit VII — Statistics & Probability (11 marks)

• Ch 13 Statistics

  Mean, mode and median of grouped data.

• Ch 14 Probability

  Classical (theoretical) approach to probability.

Point to the Method

Names the tool to reach for (e.g. "Use the discriminant b² − 4ac") without giving the answer.

Guided Reasoning Prompt

Prompts the key idea (e.g. "What does a discriminant of zero mean for the roots?").

Complete Worked Solution

Shows the full step-by-step working and explains why the answer is correct.

Prioritise Understanding Over Rote

Explain a method out loud in your own words — if you can teach it, you understand it.

Focus Practice on High-Weight Units

Algebra (20) and Geometry (15) carry the most marks, so steady weekly practice there pays off most.

Use Previous Years’ Papers for Timing

Working past papers under a clock builds exam-day pacing for the 3-hour, 80-mark theory paper.

How many chapters are in the current CBSE Class 10 Maths syllabus?

The current (rationalised) NCERT Class 10 Mathematics textbook has 14 chapters. 'Constructions' was removed in the 2022 revision, reducing the count from 15 to 14. Always confirm the current syllabus with CBSE or your school.

What is the difference between Maths Standard (041) and Maths Basic (241)?

Both share exactly the same syllabus and chapters; they differ only in the difficulty of the board paper. Standard (041) has a higher share of higher-order questions and suits students continuing Maths at senior secondary; Basic (241) is a slightly easier paper. The code is chosen at registration.

How is CBSE Class 10 Maths assessed?

An 80-mark theory paper (3 hours) plus 20 marks of internal assessment — periodic tests and multiple assessment (10), portfolio (5), and lab activities (5) — totalling 100.

Which units carry the most marks in the theory paper?

Algebra (20) and Geometry (15) carry the most, followed by Trigonometry (12), Statistics & Probability (11), Mensuration (10), and Number Systems and Coordinate Geometry (6 each).