CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS INC
S-3/A, 1996-11-20
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
Previous: MEDIALINK WORLDWIDE INC, S-1/A, 1996-11-20
Next: ALLIANCE IMAGING INC /DE/, 10-Q/A, 1996-11-20



<PAGE>
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 20, 1996
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-15885
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                              -------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
                              -------------------
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
                DELAWARE                                77-0148231
    (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)               Identification Number)
 
                              -------------------
 
                                2655 SEELY ROAD
                                   BUILDING 5
                           SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95134
                                 (408) 943-1234
 
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   Registrant's principal executive offices)
                              -------------------
 
                           R.L. SMITH MCKEITHEN, ESQ.
                       VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
                                2655 SEELY ROAD
                                   BUILDING 5
                           SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95134
                                 (408) 943-1234
 
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                              -------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
        ALAN C. MENDELSON, ESQ.                DONALD M. KELLER, JR., ESQ.
        JULIA L. DAVIDSON, ESQ.                  MARK L. SILVERMAN, ESQ.
           COOLEY GODWARD LLP                       VENTURE LAW GROUP
         FIVE PALO ALTO SQUARE                  A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
          3000 EL CAMINO REAL                      2800 SAND HILL ROAD
      PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306              MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
             (415) 843-5000                           (415) 854-4488
           FAX (415) 857-0663                       FAX (415) 854-1121
 
                              -------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
   AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
                              -------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
   
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 20, 1996
    
 
                                5,000,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                           (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
                              -------------------
 
    All of the 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold by
the Company. The last reported sale price of the Common Stock, which is quoted
under the symbol "CDN", on the New York Stock Exchange on November 6, 1996 was
$34.50 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock".
 
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 8 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
                               -----------------
    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
       AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
         THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
      COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
           ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                              -------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  INITIAL PUBLIC       UNDERWRITING        PROCEEDS TO
                                  OFFERING PRICE       DISCOUNT (1)        COMPANY (2)
                                ------------------  ------------------  ------------------
<S>                             <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Per Share.....................          $                   $                   $
Total (3).....................          $                   $                   $
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabili-
    ties under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $600,000 payable by the Company.
 
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters an option for 30 days to purchase
    up to an additional 750,000 shares at the initial public offering price per
    share, less the underwriting discount, solely to cover over-allotments, if
    any. If such option is exercised in full, the total initial public offering
    price, underwriting discount and proceeds to Company will be $      ,
    $      and $      , respectively. See "Underwriting".
                              -------------------
 
    The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the Underwriters, as
specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that the
certificates for the shares will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, on
or about              , 1996, against payment therefor in immediately available
funds.
 
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.                                        MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
                                                                    INCORPORATED
                            ------------------------
 
               The date of this Prospectus is November   , 1996.
<PAGE>
    IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY OF THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE
PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NYSE, OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
                              -------------------
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    Cadence Design Systems, Inc. ("Cadence" or the "Company") is subject to the
informational reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: Chicago
Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661;
and New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New
York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary
Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. The Company's common stock (the "Common Stock")
is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), and such reports, proxy
statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the
NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
   
    The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information, reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement. The
Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto may be inspected, without
charge, at the offices of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and copies may be obtained from the Commission at prescribed rates.
    
 
    The Commission maintains a World Wide Web site that contains reports, proxy
and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission. The address of the site is
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                              -------------------
 
   
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
    
 
    The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (Commission
File Number 1-10606) pursuant to the Exchange Act are by this reference
incorporated in and made a part of this Prospectus:
 
    1.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
       December 30, 1995;
 
    2.  The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods
       ended March 30, 1996, June 29, 1996 and September 28, 1996;
 
   
    3.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
       February 9, 1996;
    
 
   
    4.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
       November 7, 1996;
    
 
    5.  The description of the Company's Preferred Share Purchase Rights
       contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
       Commission on February 16, 1996; and
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    6.  The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
       Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on August
       29, 1990.
 
    The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the
documents which are incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits to
such information (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to Investor
Relations, Cadence Design Systems, Inc., 2655 Seely Road, Building 5, San Jose,
California 95134; telephone number (408) 943-1234.
                              -------------------
 
    All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
                              -------------------
 
    Verilog-Registered Trademark-, VHDL-Registered Trademark-,
Dracula-Registered Trademark-, Diva-Registered Trademark- and
Vampire-Registered Trademark- are registered trademarks of the Company, and
Virtuoso, Verilog XL, Leapfrog, Synergy, Ensemble, Cell Ensemble, Cell3
Ensemble, Silicon Ensemble, Allegro, BoardQuest, Analog Artist, Spectre and
Analog Workbench are trademarks of the Company. SPECCTRA-Registered Trademark-
AND IC Craftsman-Registered Trademark- are registered trademarks of Cooper &
Chyan Technology, Inc. ("CCT") and ShapeBased is a trademark of CCT. This
Prospectus also contains trademarks of other companies.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE MORE
DETAILED INFORMATION AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS APPEARING ELSEWHERE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. UNLESS OTHERWISE
INDICATED, ALL INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUMES THAT THE UNDERWRITERS'
OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION WILL NOT BE EXERCISED.
 
   
    EXCEPT FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S
ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED HEREIN. FACTORS THAT
CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE
DISCUSSED BELOW IN "RISK FACTORS", AS WELL AS THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
    
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
   
    Cadence Design Systems, Inc. ("Cadence" or the "Company") develops, markets
and supports electronic design automation ("EDA") software tools that automate,
enhance and accelerate the design and verification of integrated circuits
("ICs") and electronic systems. The Company combines its technology with
services to help optimize its customers' product development processes. The
Company's products and services are used by companies throughout the world to
design and develop electronic circuits and systems, including semiconductors,
computer systems and peripherals, telecommunications and networking equipment,
mobile and wireless devices, automotive components, consumer products and other
advanced electronics.
    
 
    The Company's EDA tools are used by customers to analyze, simulate,
implement and verify electronic designs. In addition, the Company's tools let
design architects and engineers build abstract models of chips, simulate their
behavior, and analyze their physical attributes for acceptable performance. The
resulting productivity and accuracy improvements over earlier generation
approaches to IC design enable customers to develop increasingly complex, high
quality electronic products with accelerated time to market schedules.
 
    Cadence offers services ranging from advanced tools training and methodology
assessment to joint design work with customers or even complete outsourcing of
its customer's design work. In addition, the Company believes that customer
support is a key factor in successfully marketing EDA products and generating
repeat orders. The Company's product maintenance contracts entitle the customers
to product updates, documentation and ongoing support.
 
    The Company is pursuing a strategy of combining a broad suite of design
tools with world-class support, design and process services to enable its
customers to accelerate their product development efforts, improve their design
productivity and successfully cope with the increasing complexity of IC and
electronic system design. The design process is becoming more complicated, as
customers are seeking to create higher performance products, lower development
costs, improve time to market and migrate their design and manufacturing efforts
to utilize deep submicron technologies. As a consequence, the Company believes
that its solutions-oriented approach to providing both EDA tools and services
will enable customers to more effectively respond to demanding market
requirements.
 
    The Company was formed as a result of the merger of SDA Systems, Inc. into
ECAD, Inc. in May 1988. The principal executive offices of the Company are
located at 2655 Seely Road, Building 5, San Jose, California 95134. The
Company's telephone number is (408) 943-1234.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
THE CCT MERGER
 
   
    On October 28, 1996, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger and Reorganization with Cooper & Chyan Technology, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("CCT"), pursuant to which, upon fulfillment or waiver of certain
conditions, CCT will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "CCT
Merger") in a stock-for-stock merger that is expected to be tax free and
accounted for as a pooling of interests. CCT develops, markets and supports
software tools that help designers route the interconnections among electronic
devices on high performance printed circuit boards ("PCBs") and ICs. Based upon
the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of November 5,
1996, and after giving effect to the Common Stock that is proposed to be issued
in the CCT Merger as described herein (but without regard to any shares which
may be issued in connection with the HLDS Merger described herein and assuming
no exercise of options and warrants to purchase Common Stock), the former
holders of CCT capital stock would have voting power with respect to
approximately 12.4% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares (14.2%
assuming exercise of all outstanding options to purchase CCT capital stock). The
CCT Merger, which is subject to certain conditions, is expected to be completed
as early as February 1997. There can be no assurance that the CCT Merger will be
consummated. CCT, founded in 1989, is headquartered in Cupertino, California,
and has operations in North America, Europe and Japan.
    
 
THE HLDS MERGER
 
   
    On October 3, 1996, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
and Reorganization with High Level Design Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("HLDS"), pursuant to which, upon fulfillment or waiver of certain conditions,
HLDS will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "HLDS Merger") in
a stock-for-stock merger that is expected to be tax free and accounted for as a
purchase. HLDS develops, markets and supports EDA software for the design of
high density, high performance ICs. HLDS' products are designed to solve the
problems inherent in deep submicron (less than 0.5 micron) IC design and to
offer improved time to market, enhanced IC performance and reduced development
and manufacturing costs when compared to previous generations of EDA software.
Based upon the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of
November 5, 1996, and after giving effect to the Common Stock that is proposed
to be issued in the HLDS Merger as described herein (but without regard to any
shares which may be issued in connection with the CCT Merger described herein
and assuming no exercise of options and warrants to purchase Common Stock), the
former holders of HLDS capital stock would have voting power with respect to
approximately 3.2% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares (3.9% assuming
exercise of all outstanding options to purchase HLDS capital stock). The HLDS
Merger, which is subject to certain conditions, is expected to be completed as
early as December 1996. There can be no assurance that the HLDS Merger will be
consummated. HLDS, founded in 1991, is headquartered in Santa Clara, California
and has operations in North America and Europe.
    
 
REASONS FOR MERGERS AND PUBLIC OFFERING
 
   
    The Company believes that the CCT Merger and the HLDS Merger (collectively,
the "mergers") will allow the Company to obtain new technologies and expand and
enhance its product lines and research and development programs. The Company
intends to combine the operations and technologies of the Company, CCT and HLDS
as soon as practicable following the mergers. In order to qualify the CCT Merger
for pooling of interests accounting treatment, the Company needs to cure the
taint on certain treasury shares by issuing them in one or more transactions.
The issuance of the 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, together
with the proposed issuance of approximately 2,561,936 shares of Common Stock in
connection with the HLDS Merger and certain additional shares of Common Stock
upon exercise of outstanding Company stock options, will cure an equal number of
tainted shares. In the
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
event the HLDS Merger is delayed substantially or not completed, the Company
will need to issue shares of Common Stock in one or more alternate transactions
if it is to qualify the CCT Merger for pooling of interests accounting
treatment. The Company has the right to waive the condition that the CCT Merger
be qualified for pooling of interests accounting treatment. If the CCT Merger is
consummated but fails to qualify for pooling of interests accounting treatment,
then the transaction would be accounted for as a purchase. Accounting for the
CCT Merger as a purchase could result in a significant intangible asset or a
significant charge against results of operations or both, which could materially
and adversely affect future results of operations.
    
 
   
    Certain statements concerning the mergers, including descriptions of the
mergers and pro forma financial information, are forward looking statements that
are subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that the CCT
Merger or the HLDS Merger will be completed as planned, that they will have the
desired benefits or that they will not have an adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or results of operations. See "Risk Factors" for a
description of risks and uncertainties associated with the CCT Merger and the
HLDS Merger.
    
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    For a discussion of considerations relevant to an investment in the Common
Stock, see "Risk Factors".
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Common Stock offered.........................  5,000,000 shares
Common Stock outstanding after the             82,530,338 shares (1)
 offering....................................
NYSE symbol..................................  CDN
Use of Proceeds..............................  For general corporate purposes,
                                               including working capital. See "Use
                                               of Proceeds".
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
   
(1) Based upon shares outstanding as of September 28, 1996. Excludes 28,704,006
    shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's Employee
    Stock Option Plan, Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, Directors' Stock Option
    Plans and Acquired Option Plans (the "Stock Option Plans"), the Employee
    Stock Purchase Plan, warrants and put options. Options to purchase
    19,660,922 shares of Common Stock under the Stock Option Plans and warrants
    to purchase 120,000 shares of Common Stock were outstanding at September 28,
    1996. Also excludes Common Stock to be issued in connection with the CCT
    Merger and the HLDS Merger. Based on shares outstanding as of November 5,
    1996, an additional 11,038,148 shares of Common Stock would be issued upon
    completion of the CCT Merger (12,883,813 shares assuming exercise of options
    to purchase capital stock of CCT outstanding as of November 5, 1996) and
    2,561,936 shares of Common Stock would be issued upon completion of the HLDS
    Merger (3,161,436 shares assuming exercise of options to purchase capital
    stock of HLDS outstanding as of November 5, 1996).
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                    SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Fiscal Years Ended               Nine Months Ended
                                                                December 30,            ------------------------------
                                                       -------------------------------  September 30,   September 28,
                                                         1993       1994       1995          1995            1996
                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  --------------
                                                                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue..............................................  $ 368,623  $ 429,072  $ 548,418    $  384,662      $  529,197
Unusual items (1)....................................     19,650     14,707     --            --              --
Income (loss) from operations........................     (8,415)    44,047    117,860        75,272         131,988
Net income (loss) (2)................................    (12,779)    36,648     97,270        66,430          86,854
Net income (loss) per share (2)......................  $   (0.13) $    0.37  $    1.05    $     0.71      $     0.95
Common and common equivalent shares used in computing
  per share amounts (3)..............................     96,885     98,805     92,948        93,170          91,095
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           September 28, 1996
                                                                                       --------------------------
                                                                                                     Actual As
                                                                                        Actual     Adjusted (5)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------------
                                                                                              (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash investments............................................................  $  83,211     $ 248,642
Working capital......................................................................     11,427       176,858
Total assets.........................................................................    419,015       584,446
Long-term obligations................................................................     19,878        19,878
Stockholders' equity.................................................................    160,407       325,838
</TABLE>
 
                    SUMMARY PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Fiscal Years Ended               Nine Months Ended
                                                                December 30,            ------------------------------
                                                       -------------------------------  September 30,   September 28,
                                                         1993       1994       1995          1995            1996
                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  --------------
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
  DATA (4):
Revenue..............................................  $ 375,917  $ 444,617  $ 581,987    $  408,156      $  564,306
Unusual items (1)....................................     19,650     15,142         --            --              --
Income (loss) from operations........................     (6,749)    45,149    114,709        72,167         133,181
Net income (loss) (2)................................    (11,737)    37,291     94,297        63,578          87,076
Net income (loss) per share (2)......................  $   (0.11) $    0.34  $    0.89    $     0.60      $     0.82
Common and common equivalent shares used in computing
  per share amounts..................................    105,500    108,146    106,098       106,019         106,070
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           September 28, 1996
                                                                                      ----------------------------
                                                                                                      Pro Forma
                                                                                       Pro Forma   As Adjusted (5)
                                                                                      -----------  ---------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>          <C>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET DATA (4):
Cash and cash investments...........................................................   $  89,410      $ 254,841
Working capital.....................................................................      32,232        197,663
Total assets........................................................................     476,430        641,861
Long-term obligations...............................................................      20,161         20,161
Stockholders' equity................................................................     193,192        358,623
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
(1) See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included elsewhere
    in this Prospectus, for further discussion.
    
 
(2) Net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share included a $3.1 million
    after tax gain on the sale of an equity investment in the year ended
    December 30, 1994 and a $13.6 million after tax gain on the sale of stock of
    a subsidiary in the periods ended December 30, 1995 and September 30,1995.
 
   
(3) See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included elsewhere
    in this Prospectus, for an explanation of the determination of the number of
    shares used in computing the per share amounts.
    
 
   
(4) The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations data for the years
    ended December 31, 1993 and 1994 give effect to the CCT Merger as if the
    merger was completed at the beginning of the periods presented. The
    unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations data for the year ended
    December 30, 1995 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and
    September 28, 1996 give effect to the CCT Merger and the HLDS Merger as if
    both mergers were completed at the beginning of the periods presented. The
    unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet data as of September 28, 1996
    give effect to the CCT Merger and the HLDS Merger as if both mergers were
    consummated as of September 28, 1996.
    
 
(5) Adjusted to give effect to the net proceeds of the offering, based upon an
    assumed public offering price of $34.50 per share.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
   
    EXCEPT FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S
ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY. FACTORS THAT CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH
DIFFERENCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE DISCUSSED BELOW AS WELL AS
THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
    
 
    THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. IN ADDITION
TO THE OTHER INFORMATION INCLUDED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING
FACTORS IN EVALUATING THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS BEFORE PURCHASING ANY SHARES
OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
 
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
 
    Because of rapid technological changes in the EDA industry, the Company's
future revenues will depend on its ability to develop or acquire new products
and enhance its existing products on a timely basis to keep pace with
innovations in IC technology and to support a range of changing computer
software and hardware platforms and customer preferences.
 
    The Company's EDA software tools have a limited life cycle, requiring the
Company to make periodic product enhancements and new product introductions.
There can be no assurance that the Company's products will not become obsolete,
or that any new or enhanced products it develops or markets will be competitive
or achieve market acceptance. The Company believes that the mergers will enhance
the Company's ability to help customers design chips with feature sizes of 0.5
micron and below. If the Company fails to obtain new or developed technology
through the mergers or the mergers are substantially delayed or not consummated,
new product introductions could be substantially delayed, and the Company would
be required to devote significant additional management and technical resources
to develop such technology internally. Failures of or significant delays in
product development could result in a loss of competitiveness of the Company's
products and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
 
   
    In addition, many of the Company's products operate only on certain versions
of the UNIX operating system. The Company has only recently begun the
development work necessary to port its software to Windows NT. Failure of the
Company's products to keep pace with changes in manufacturing technology or
processes, software and hardware platforms and customer preferences could render
one or more of the Company's software tools obsolete, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
    
 
PROPOSED ACQUISITIONS; FAILURE TO CONSUMMATE PROPOSED ACQUISITIONS; UNCERTAINTY
  RELATING TO INTEGRATION
 
   
    Part of the Company's strategy is to grow and improve its product offerings
through acquisitions. This strategy involves a number of risks, including risks
related to the integration of the acquired businesses, the substantial
management time devoted to such activities, undisclosed liabilities, the failure
to achieve anticipated benefits, such as cost savings and synergies, and
distribution, engineering, customer support and other issues related to product
transition.
    
 
   
    On October 28, 1996, the Company entered into a merger agreement with CCT
pursuant to which, upon fulfillment or waiver of certain conditions, CCT will
become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company in a stock-for-stock merger that
is expected to be tax free and accounted for as a pooling of interests. Based
upon the number of shares of the Common Stock issued and outstanding as of
November 5, 1996, and after giving effect to the Common Stock that is proposed
to be issued in the CCT Merger as described herein (but without regard to any
shares which may be issued in connection with the HLDS Merger described herein
and assuming no exercise of options and warrants to purchase Common Stock), the
former holders of CCT capital stock would hold and have voting power with
respect to approximately 12.4% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares
(14.2% assuming exercise of all outstanding options to purchase CCT capital
stock). The CCT Merger, which is subject to certain conditions, is expected to
be completed as early as February 1997. There can be no assurance that the CCT
Merger will be consummated.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
    On October 3, 1996, the Company entered into a merger agreement with HLDS
pursuant to which HLDS will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company in a
stock-for-stock merger that is expected to be tax free and accounted for as a
purchase. Based upon the number of shares of the Common Stock issued and
outstanding as of November 5, 1996, and after giving effect to the Common Stock
that is proposed to be issued in the HLDS Merger as described herein (but
without regard to any shares which may be issued in connection with the CCT
Merger described herein and assuming no exercise of options and warrants to
purchase Common Stock), the former holders of HLDS capital stock would hold and
have voting power with respect to approximately 3.2% of the Company's issued and
outstanding shares (3.9% assuming exercise of all outstanding options to
purchase HLDS capital stock). The Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with
the Commission related to the HLDS Merger was declared effective on November 13,
1996. The transaction, which is subject to certain conditions, is expected to be
completed as early as December 1996. There can be no assurance that the HLDS
Merger will be consummated.
    
 
   
    Among the conditions that must be fulfilled in order to consummate these
mergers are the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting stock
of each of CCT and HLDS, and, for the CCT Merger, the expiration or termination
of the waiting period applicable to the CCT Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"). The consummation
of the CCT Merger is also conditioned upon the receipt of a letter from the
Company's independent public accountants concerning the qualification of the CCT
Merger for accounting treatment as a pooling of interests in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. In order to qualify the CCT Merger for
pooling of interests accounting treatment, the Company needs to cure the taint
on certain treasury shares by issuing them in one or more transactions. The
issuance of the 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, together with
the proposed issuance of approximately 2,561,936 shares of the Common Stock in
connection with the HLDS Merger and certain additional shares of Common Stock
upon exercise of outstanding Company stock options, will cure an equal number of
tainted shares. In the event the HLDS Merger is delayed substantially or not
completed, the Company will need to issue shares of Common Stock in one or more
alternate transactions if it is to qualify the CCT Merger for pooling of
interests accounting. The Company has the right to waive the condition that the
CCT Merger be qualified for pooling of interests accounting treatment. If the
CCT Merger is consummated but fails to qualify for pooling of interests
accounting treatment, then the transaction would be accounted for as a purchase.
Accounting for the CCT Merger as a purchase could result in a significant
intangible asset or a significant charge against results of operations or both,
which could materially and adversely affect future results of operations. There
can be no assurance that these and all such other conditions will be satisfied
or waived, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the mergers will be
consummated. In addition, the review of the mergers pursuant to the HSR Act may
substantially delay the Company's ability to consummate the mergers. There can
be no assurance that a challenge to the mergers on antitrust grounds will not be
made, or if such a challenge is made, the Company will prevail or would not be
required to terminate either or both of the merger agreements, divest certain
assets, license certain proprietary technology or accept certain conditions in
order to consummate the mergers.
    
 
    During the pendency of the mergers, customers or potential customers may
delay or cancel orders as a result of uncertainty about product evolution,
integration and support, and competitors may increase their efforts to solicit
the Company's, CCT's or HLDS' employees in light of uncertainty associated with
the mergers. Significant delays in or cancellations of orders or loss of
employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. In the event the mergers are not
consummated, the descriptions of events contained in this Prospectus, including
those described by the pro forma financial statements contained herein, may
differ materially from those which actually transpire. Failure to consummate the
mergers may result in employee uncertainty, potentially resulting in loss of
employees or reduction in their productivity, uncertainty in the marketplace or
delays or cancellations of orders by customers or potential customers. In
addition, new product introductions and enhancements of existing products could
be substantially delayed if the mergers are not consummated. Any of the
foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
    The Company intends to combine the operations and technologies of the
Company, CCT and HLDS as soon as practicable. Following the mergers, in order to
maintain and increase profitability, the Company, CCT and HLDS will need to
integrate and streamline overlapping functions successfully. Costs generally
associated with this type of integration that may be incurred by the Company
include the write off of capitalized software, severance payments, closing of
excess facilities and disposition of excess equipment. While these costs have
not been currently identified, any such costs will have an adverse effect on the
Company's operating results in the periods in which they are incurred. In
addition, the Company currently estimates that approximately $91.7 million of
the purchase price paid for HLDS will be allocated to in process research and
development and will be charged to expense in the period the acquisition is
consummated. The Company has the right to waive the condition that the CCT
Merger be qualified for pooling of interests accounting treatment. If the CCT
Merger is consummated but fails to qualify for pooling of interests accounting
treatment, then the transaction would be accounted for as a purchase. Accounting
for the CCT Merger as a purchase could result in a significant intangible asset
or a significant charge against results of operations or both, which could
materially and adversely affect future results of operations. Each of the
Company, CCT and HLDS has different systems and procedures in many operational
areas that must be rationalized and integrated. Among other things, the Company
must integrate product offerings, and coordinate research and development and
sales and marketing efforts. There may be substantial difficulties associated
with integrating three separate companies, and there can be no assurance that
such integration will be accomplished expeditiously or successfully. The
integration of certain operations following each acquisition will require the
dedication of management resources that may temporarily distract attention from
the day-to-day business of the Company. The business of the Company may also be
disrupted by employee uncertainty and lack of focus during such integration.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to retain key technical,
managerial and other employees. Failure to accomplish the integration of the
operations of the Company, CCT and HLDS could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover,
uncertainty in the marketplace or customer hesitation relating to the
acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
    
 
POTENTIAL FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS
 
    The Company's operating expenses are partially based on its expectations
regarding future revenue. The Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations could be materially adversely affected if revenue in a
quarter does not materialize as anticipated. Since expenses are usually
committed in advance of revenues and because only a small portion of expenses
vary with revenue, the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations may be affected significantly by lower revenue. The Company's focus
on providing services is relatively recent. The percentage revenue growth from
this source from 1995 to 1996 may not be indicative of future growth. In
addition, a substantial portion of the Company's revenues from services are
earned pursuant to fixed price contracts. Variances in costs associated with
those contracts could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. Although the Company's revenues
are not generally seasonal in nature, the Company has experienced, and may
continue to experience, decreases in first quarter revenue compared with the
preceding fourth quarter, which is believed to result primarily from the capital
purchase cycle of the Company's customers.
 
    The Company's business, financial condition and results of operations are
affected by the business cycles of its customers, including its customers in the
semiconductor industry, and the business cycles of the semiconductor industry as
a whole. In particular, during the past 12 months, conditions in the
semiconductor industry have been generally weak and a number of the Company's
customers have reduced their capital spending plans. There can be no assurance
that such conditions will improve in the near future, if at all, or that the
Company's customers will increase their rate of spending in the future. Changes
in the financial condition of the Company's customers could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. In addition, the quarterly operating results of the Company may vary
substantially from period to period depending on factors such as
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
increased competition; the size, timing and structure of significant licenses;
the timing of revenue recognition under license agreements; the timing of new or
enhanced product announcements, introductions, or delays in the introductions,
of new or enhanced versions of the Company's products; changes in pricing
policies by the Company or its competitors; market acceptance of new and
enhanced versions of the Company's products; the cancellation of licenses or
maintenance agreements; the mix of direct and indirect sales; changes in
operating expenses; changes in the Company's strategy; seasonal factors;
personnel changes; foreign currency exchange rates and general economic factors.
Based on the Company's operating history and due to the foregoing factors,
quarter to quarter comparisons should not be relied upon as indicators of future
performance. In addition, certain costs are generally associated with
transactions such as the mergers, including the write off of capitalized
software, severance payments, closing of excess facilities, and disposition of
excess equipment. While these costs have not been currently identified, any such
costs will have an adverse effect on the Company's operating results in the
periods in which they are incurred. In addition, the Company currently estimates
that approximately $91.7 million of the purchase price paid for HLDS will be
allocated to in process research and development and will be charged to expense
in the period the acquisition is consummated. The Company has the right to waive
the condition that the CCT Merger be qualified for pooling of interests
accounting treatment. If the CCT Merger is consummated but fails to qualify for
pooling of interests accounting treatment, then the transaction would be
accounted for as a purchase. Accounting for the CCT Merger as a purchase could
result in a significant intangible asset or a significant charge against results
of operations or both, which could materially and adversely affect future
results of operations.
    
 
COMPETITION
 
    The Company operates in the highly competitive EDA industry, which continues
to be characterized by falling prices, rapid technological change and new market
entrants. The Company's success is dependent upon its ability to develop
innovative, cost-competitive EDA software products and services, and to bring
them to market in a timely manner. The Company competes with other companies,
including Avant! Corporation, EPIC Design Technology, Inc., Mentor Graphics
Corp., Synopsys, Inc., Viewlogic Systems, Inc. and Zuken-Redac, that sell one or
more competing EDA products, and with actual and potential customers' internal
EDA software development and design services groups as well. Some of the
Company's competitors may have substantially greater financial, marketing and
technological resources than the Company. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to compete successfully.
 
    Because the EDA industry is labor-intensive rather than capital-intensive,
the number of the Company's actual and potential competitors is significant. A
potential competitor who possesses the necessary knowledge of electronic circuit
and systems design, production and operation could develop competitive EDA tools
using a moderately priced computer workstation and bring such tools to market
quickly. There can be no assurance that development of competitive products will
not result in a shift of customer preferences away from the Company's products,
resulting in a significant decrease in the sales of the Company's comparable
products which could materially adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. If the Company is unable to
compete successfully against current and future competitors, the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially
adversely affected.
 
    Intense competition in the EDA industry has lowered prices and there can be
no assurance that the Company will not be required to further discount EDA
product prices in the future. Any such discount could have a negative effect on
the profit margins of the discounted product and could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operation.
 
MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH
 
    The Company has experienced rapid growth that has placed a significant
strain upon its management, operational and financial resources. Upon
consummation of the proposed CCT Merger and HLDS Merger, the Company will need
to integrate a large number of new personnel, as well as operational,
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
financial, management control, accounting and reporting systems and procedures.
The Company's ability to manage its growth effectively will require it to
continue to expand its operational, financial and management controls,
accounting and reporting systems and procedures and other internal processes.
There can be no assurance that such factors will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL AND ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN PROFESSIONAL STAFF
 
    The Company is dependent upon the efforts and abilities of its senior
management, its research and development staff and a number of other key
management, sales, services, support and technical personnel. The success of the
Company will depend to a large extent upon its ability to retain and continue to
attract qualified technical and other employees. Competition for qualified
personnel in the software industry is intense, and the loss of key employees
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations, particularly if key personnel are
subsequently employed by a competitor. The Company carries key man life
insurance in the amount of $10 million with respect to its President and Chief
Executive Officer, Joseph B. Costello.
 
    In addition, the Company has recently increased its focus on offering
professional services to its customers. The Company's success in its services
business is particularly dependent upon its ability to attract, retain, train
and motivate highly skilled employees, particularly project managers and other
senior technical personnel. There is significant competition for employees with
the skills required to perform the services the Company offers. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be successful in attracting a sufficient number
of highly skilled employees in the future, or that it will be successful in
retaining, training and motivating the employees it is able to attract. Any
inability to do so could impair the Company's ability to adequately manage and
complete its existing projects and to bid for or obtain new projects. If the
Company's employees are unable to achieve expected performance levels, or if the
Company is unable to attract qualified personnel, the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely
affected.
 
RISK WITH REGARD TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
 
    The Company relies principally upon trade secrets and copyright laws to
protect its intellectual property rights. In general, the Company seeks to
preserve its trade secrets by licensing (rather than selling) its products, by
using nondisclosure agreements, by limiting access to confidential information
and through other security measures. Despite these precautions, it may be
possible for third parties to copy aspects of the Company's products or to
obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. The Company
is currently engaged in litigation before the United States District Court for
the Northern District of California with Avant! Corporation ("Avant!") and
certain of its employees, wherein the Company alleges misappropriation of the
Company's trade secrets, copyright infringement, conspiracy and other
illegalities. Avant! has filed counterclaims alleging, INTER ALIA, federal and
state antitrust violations. The court has not yet issued a ruling on the
Company's request for a preliminary injunction or on the defendant's
counterclaims against the Company. The Company has a limited number of patents,
and existing copyright laws afford only limited protection. There has been an
increase in the number of patents issued in the United States relating to EDA
software and, accordingly, the risk of patent infringement in the industry can
be expected to increase. In addition, the proprietary rights and laws and
enforcement procedures of certain foreign countries do not protect the Company's
products and intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of
the United States. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
protect its proprietary technology, and any failure to do so could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
 
POTENTIAL DILUTIVE EFFECT TO STOCKHOLDERS; TRANSACTION EXPENSES AND WRITEOFFS
 
    There can be no assurance that combining the business of the Company with
the businesses of CCT and HLDS, even if achieved in an efficient and effective
manner, will result in combined results of
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
operations and financial condition superior to what would have been achieved by
the Company independently. The issuance of the Common Stock in connection with
the mergers is likely to have a dilutive effect on the Company's earnings per
share. There can be no assurance that stockholders of the Company would not
achieve greater returns on investment if the mergers were not consummated. In
addition, certain costs are generally associated with transactions such as the
mergers, including the write off of capitalized software, severance payments,
closing of excess facilities and disposition of excess equipment. The Company
currently estimates that approximately $91.7 million of the HLDS purchase price
will be allocated to in process research and development and will be charged to
expense in the period the HLDS Merger is consummated. Such charge will adversely
affect operating results of the Company in the period in which it is recorded.
The Company has the right to waive the condition that the CCT Merger be
qualified for pooling of interests accounting treatment. If the CCT Merger is
consummated but fails to qualify for pooling of interests accounting treatment,
then the transaction would be accounted for as a purchase. Accounting for the
CCT Merger as a purchase could result in a significant intangible asset or a
significant charge against results of operations or both, which could materially
and adversely affect future results of operations.
    
 
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICES
 
    The market price of the Common Stock has been and may continue to be
volatile. This volatility may result from a number of factors, including
fluctuations in the Company's quarterly revenues and net income, announcements
of technical innovations or new commercial products by the Company or its
competitors, and market conditions in the EDA, semiconductor,
telecommunications, computer hardware and computer software industries. In
addition, in the event that either the CCT Merger or HLDS Merger is not
consummated, the Company's stock price may be adversely affected. Also, the
stock market has experienced and continues to experience extreme price and
volume fluctuations which have affected the market prices of securities,
particularly those of technology companies, and which have often been unrelated
to the operating performance of the companies. These broad market fluctuations,
as well as general economic and political conditions, may adversely affect the
market price of the Company's Common Stock in future periods.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS
 
    Revenues from international operations accounted for approximately one half
of the Company's total revenues for the four fiscal years ended December 30,
1995 and the nine months ended September 28, 1996. The Company expects that
international revenues will continue to account for a significant portion of its
total revenues. The Company's international operations involve a number of risks
normally associated with such operations, including, among others, adoption and
expansion of government trade restrictions, volatile foreign exchange rates,
currency conversion risks, limitations on repatriation of earnings, reduced
protection of intellectual property rights, the impact of possible recessionary
environments in economies outside the United States, longer receivables
collection periods and greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection,
difficulties in managing foreign operations, political and economic instability,
unexpected changes in regulatory requirements and tariffs and other trade
barriers. Currency exchange fluctuations in countries in which the Company
conducts business could also materially adversely affect the Company's business
financial condition and results of operations. The Company enters into foreign
currency forward contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
Although the Company attempts to reduce the impact of foreign currency
fluctuations, significant exchange rate movements may have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that in the future the Company will be
able to continue to price its products and services internationally in United
States dollars because of changing sovereign restrictions on importation and
exportation of foreign currencies as well as other practical considerations. In
addition, the laws of certain countries do not protect the Company's products
and intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United
States. The Company may be required to have United States Department of Commerce
export licenses for shipment of certain of its products outside the United
States. Any failure, delays or other difficulties in obtaining necessary
licenses could have a material adverse effect on business, financial condition
and
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to sustain or increase international revenues or that the foregoing factors will
not have a material adverse effect on the Company's future international
revenues and, consequently, on the Company's overall business, financial
condition and results of operations.
 
ANTITAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
   
    The Company has adopted a number of provisions that could have antitakeover
effects. In February 1996, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a Share
Purchase Rights Plan, commonly referred to as a "poison pill". In addition, The
Company's Board of Directors has the authority, without further action by the
stockholders, to fix the rights and preferences of, and issue shares of,
authorized but undesignated shares of preferred stock. This provision and other
provisions of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and
the Delaware General Corporation Law may have the effect of deterring hostile
takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in control or management of the
Company, including transactions in which the stockholders of the Company might
otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices.
    
 
POTENTIAL FUTURE SALES OF SHARES
 
   
    Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock in the public
market, whether by purchasers in this offering, other stockholders of the
Company, including affiliates of the Company, or former stockholders of CCT and
HLDS following the mergers, could adversely affect the prevailing market price
of the Common Stock, and could impair the Company's future ability to raise
capital through an offering of its equity securities. Assuming no exercise of
options and warrants after November 5, 1996, immediately after the completion of
this offering (assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option)
there will be 82,833,083 shares of Common Stock outstanding, all of which will
be freely tradeable in the public markets, subject in certain cases to the
volume and other limitations set forth in Rule 144 or 145 promulgated under the
Securities Act. The Company and directors and executive officers of the Company
will be subject to lockup restrictions ("Lockup"), unless released by Goldman,
Sachs & Co. See "Underwriting". Subject to certain exceptions, the Lockup
prohibits the disposition of any shares of Common Stock by the Company or held
by directors and executive officers of the Company until the date 90 days after
the date of this Prospectus ("Effective Date"). Any shares subject to the Lockup
may be released at any time with or without notice to the public. In this
regard, the Company and Goldman, Sachs & Co. have agreed that directors and
executive officers of the Company may sell up to an aggregate of 325,000 shares
of Common Stock. A substantial number of these shares may be sold prior to
December 18, 1996, in accordance with the Company's normal policies respecting
sales by such persons during a fiscal quarter. In addition, in the event the
HLDS Merger is not completed, the Company will need to issue up to 2,600,000
shares of Common Stock in one or more alternate transactions if it is to qualify
the CCT Merger for pooling of interests accounting treatment. Based upon CCT
capital stock outstanding on November 5, 1996, the Company will issue
approximately 11,038,148 shares of Common Stock in the CCT Merger (12,883,813
shares assuming exercise of all options and warrants to acquire CCT capital
stock outstanding as of such date), all of which will be freely tradeable,
subject in certain cases to the volume and other limitations set forth in Rule
145 promulgated under the Securities Act and to restrictions in connection with
pooling of interests accounting treatment of the CCT Merger. Based upon HLDS
capital stock outstanding on November 5, 1996, the Company will issue
approximately 2,561,936 shares of Common Stock in the HLDS Merger (3,161,436
shares assuming exercise of all options and warrants to purchase HLDS capital
stock outstanding as of such date), which will be freely tradeable, subject in
certain cases to the volume and other limitations set forth in Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act. In addition, during the Lockup the Company
may issue shares of Common Stock which are not expected to be valued in the
aggregate of more than $3 million in connection with other acquisitions.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
   
    THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CCT MERGER AND THE HLDS MERGER BELOW CONTAIN FORWARD
LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THERE CAN BE NO
ASSURANCE THAT THE CCT MERGER OR THE HLDS MERGER WILL BE COMPLETED AS PLANNED,
THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE DESIRED BENEFITS, OR THAT THEY WILL NOT HAVE AN ADVERSE
EFFECT ON THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION OR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED HEREIN. FACTORS THAT
COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,
THOSE DISCUSSED ABOVE IN "RISK FACTORS", AS WELL AS THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
    
 
   
    On October 28, 1996 the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
and Reorganization by and among the Company, CCT and Wyoming Acquisition Sub,
Inc. (the "CCT Merger Sub") pursuant to which, upon fulfillment or waiver of
certain conditions, CCT Merger Sub will merge with and into CCT, the separate
existence of CCT Merger Sub will cease and CCT will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company in a stock-for-stock merger that is expected to be tax
free and accounted as a pooling of interests. The Company has the right to waive
the condition that the CCT Merger be qualified for pooling of interests
accounting treatment. If the CCT Merger is consummated but fails to qualify for
pooling of interests accounting treatment, then the transaction would be
accounted for as a purchase. Accounting for the CCT Merger as a purchase could
result in a significant intangible asset or a significant charge against results
of operations or both, which could materially and adversely affect future
results of operations. CCT develops, markets and supports software tools that
help designers route the interconnection among electronic devices on high
performance PCBs and ICs. In the CCT Merger, each outstanding share of capital
stock of CCT will be exchanged for eighty-five hundredths (0.85) of a share of
Common Stock. Based upon the 12,986,056 shares of CCT capital stock outstanding
on November 5, 1996, the Company will issue approximately 11,038,148 shares of
Common Stock in the CCT Merger (12,883,813 shares assuming exercise of all
outstanding options to acquire CCT capital stock). Based upon the number of
shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of November 5, 1996, and after
giving effect to the issuance of Common Stock that is proposed to be issued in
the CCT Merger as described herein (but without regard to any shares which may
be issued in connection with the HLDS Merger described herein and assuming no
exercise of the options and warrants to purchase Common Stock), the former
holders of CCT Capital Stock would hold and have voting power with respect to
approximately 12.4% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares (14.2%
assuming exercise of all outstanding CCT options). The CCT Merger, which is
subject to certain conditions, is expected to be completed as early as February
1997. There can be no assurance that the CCT Merger will be consummated. The
Company intends to combine the operations and technologies of the Company, CCT
and HLDS as soon as practicable following the merger. A filing will be made with
the FTC under the HSR Act in November 1996.
    
 
    CCT's common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"CCTI". On November 6, 1996, the closing price for the stock was $27.56 and the
number of shares of common stock outstanding was 12,986,056. There were
approximately 99 holders of record of CCT's common stock as of November 6, 1996.
 
    On October 3, 1996 the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
and Reorganization by and among the Company, HLDS and Harbor Acquisition Sub,
Inc. (the "HLDS Merger Sub") pursuant to which, upon the fulfillment or waiver
of certain conditions, HLDS Merger Sub will merge with and into HLDS, the
separate existence of HLDS Merger Sub will cease and HLDS will become a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company in a stock-for-stock merger that is expected to
be tax free and accounted for as a purchase. HLDS develops, markets and supports
EDA software for the design of high density, high performance ICs. HLDS'
products are designed to solve the problems inherent in deep submicron (less
than 0.5 micron) IC design and to offer improved time to market, enhanced IC
performance and reduced development and manufacturing costs when compared to
previous generations of EDA software. In the HLDS Merger, each outstanding share
of capital stock of HLDS will be exchanged
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
for twenty-two hundredths (0.22) of a share of Common Stock. Based upon the
11,645,164 shares of HLDS capital stock outstanding on November 5, 1996, the
Company will issue approximately 2,561,936 shares of Common Stock in the HLDS
Merger (3,161,436 shares assuming exercise of all outstanding options to acquire
HLDS capital stock). Based upon the number of shares of the Company's capital
stock issued and outstanding as of November 5, 1996, and after giving effect to
the issuance of the Common Stock that is proposed to be issued in the HLDS
Merger as described herein (but without regard to any shares which may be issued
in connection with the CCT Merger described herein and assuming no exercise of
any options and warrants to purchase Common Stock), the former holders of HLDS
capital stock would hold and have voting power with respect to approximately
3.2% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares (3.9% assuming exercise of
all outstanding options to purchase capital stock of HLDS). The HLDS Merger,
which is subject to certain conditions, is expected to close as early as
December 1996. There can be no assurance that the HLDS Merger will be
consummated. The Company intends to combine the operations and technologies of
the Company and HLDS as soon as practicable following the HLDS Merger. The
Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Commission related to the HLDS
Merger was declared effective on November 13, 1996.
    
 
   
    HLDS' common stock is quoted on the Vancouver Stock Exchange under the
symbol "HLD.U". On November 6, 1996, the closing price for the stock was $6.00
and the number of shares of common stock outstanding was 11,645,164. There were
approximately 94 holders of record of HLDS' common stock as of November 6, 1996.
    
 
   
    The Company believes that the CCT and HLDS mergers will allow the Company to
obtain new technologies and expand and enhance its product lines and research
and development programs. Following the mergers, the Company intends to combine
the operations and technologies of the Company, CCT and HLDS as soon as
practicable. For a discussion of the risks associated with the mergers, see
"Risk Factors" (including "Proposed Acquisitions; Failure to Consummate Proposed
Acquisitions; Uncertainty Relating to Integration").
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
    The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 5,000,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby are estimated to be $165.4 million at
an assumed public offering price of $34.50 per share, after deducting the
estimated underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by the Company.
The issuance of shares of Common Stock offered hereby, among other things, will
be required in order to qualify the CCT Merger for pooling of interests
accounting treatment in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. The Company expects to use the net proceeds of the offering for
working capital and other general corporate purposes. In addition, the Company
may make one or more acquisitions of complementary technologies, products or
businesses in order to broaden or enhance the Company's current product
offerings. Other than the CCT Merger and the HLDS Merger, the Company has no
agreements or commitments for any such acquisitions, and is not currently
engaged in any negotiations with respect to any material acquisitions.
    
 
    While the Company presently intends to use the proceeds of this offering as
described in this section, management of the Company has broad discretion to
adjust the application and allocation of the net proceeds of this offering in
order to address circumstances and opportunities. Pending use of such proceeds,
the net proceeds of this offering will be invested by the Company in short-term,
interest-bearing, investment-grade marketable securities.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
   
    The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on the Common Stock.
The Company currently intends to retain all cash for use in the operation and
expansion of its business and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on
the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The Company's bank line of credit
contains certain restrictions on the payment of dividends.
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
   
    The Common Stock trades publicly on the NYSE under the symbol "CDN". The
following table sets forth, for the calendar periods indicated, the range of
high and low sales prices for the Common Stock on the NYSE since January 1,
1994.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      HIGH      LOW
                                                                                     ------    ------
<S>                                                                                  <C>       <C>
1994
  First Quarter....................................................................  $ 6.95    $ 4.55
  Second Quarter...................................................................    7.50      5.61
  Third Quarter....................................................................    8.11      5.89
  Fourth Quarter...................................................................    9.67      7.50
1995
  First Quarter....................................................................  $12.39    $ 8.55
  Second Quarter...................................................................   15.50     11.28
  Third Quarter....................................................................   18.55     13.78
  Fourth Quarter...................................................................   28.25     16.05
1996
  First Quarter....................................................................  $30.33    $23.00
  Second Quarter...................................................................   43.75     29.67
  Third Quarter....................................................................   37.88     23.00
  Fourth Quarter (through November 6, 1996)........................................   41.38     32.63
</TABLE>
 
   
    On November 6, 1996, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock was
$34.50 per share. As of November 6, 1996, there were approximately 1,686 holders
of record of the Common Stock.
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth the actual capitalization of the Company as
of September 28, 1996, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of 5,000,000 shares
of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed public offering price of $34.50 per
share and the receipt of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of
Proceeds".
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
                                                                             ------------------------
                                                                                              AS
                                                                              ACTUAL      ADJUSTED(2)
                                                                             ---------    -----------
                                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>
Stockholders' equity:
 
  Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 2,000,000 shares authorized;
    no shares issued and outstanding.......................................  $  --        $   --
 
  Common stock and capital in excess of $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares
    authorized; 117,014,643 shares issued actual, 77,530,338 shares
    outstanding actual, 82,530,338 shares outstanding as adjusted (1)......    351,035       465,905
  Treasury stock, 39,484,305 shares actual, 34,484,305 shares as
    adjusted...............................................................   (399,263)     (348,702)
 
  Retained earnings........................................................    209,412       209,412
 
  Accumulated translation adjustment.......................................       (777)         (777)
                                                                             ---------    -----------
      Total stockholders' equity...........................................    160,407       325,838
                                                                             ---------    -----------
      Total capitalization.................................................  $ 160,407    $  325,838
                                                                             ---------    -----------
                                                                             ---------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
 
   
(1) Based upon shares outstanding as of September 28, 1996. Excludes 28,704,006
    shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's Employee
    Stock Option Plan, Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, Directors' Stock Option
    Plans and Acquired Option Plans (the "Stock Option Plans"), the Employee
    Stock Purchase Plan, warrants, and put options. Options to purchase
    19,660,922 shares of Common Stock under the Stock Option Plans and warrants
    to purchase 120,000 shares of Common Stock were outstanding at September 28,
    1996. Also excludes Common Stock to be issued in connection with the HLDS
    Merger and the CCT Merger. Based on shares outstanding as of November 5,
    1996, an additional 2,561,936 shares of Common Stock would be issued upon
    completion of the HLDS Merger (3,161,436 shares assuming exercise of options
    to purchase capital stock of HLDS outstanding as of November 5, 1996) and
    11,038,148 shares of Common Stock would be issued upon completion of the CCT
    Merger (12,883,813 shares assuming exercise of options to purchase capital
    stock of CCT outstanding as of November 5, 1996).
    
 
(2) Adjusted to give effect to the net proceeds of the offering, based upon an
    assumed public offering price of $34.50 per share of Common Stock.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
            SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
SELECTED COMPANY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
    The selected historical financial data as of December 31, 1991, 1992 and
1993 and for the years ended December 31, 1991 and 1992 are derived from audited
financial statements not included or incorporated by reference herein. The
selected historical financial data as of December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995
and for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 1995 are
derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company
included in this Prospectus. The unaudited selected historical financial data as
of September 28, 1996 and for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1995
and September 28, 1996 are derived from unaudited consolidated financial
statements of the Company and, in the opinion of the Company, include all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair representation of the financial information. Operating results for the
interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of the Company that
may be expected for the entire year. The following selected financial data
should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," found in the consolidated
financial statements and related notes and other financial information contained
in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 1995 and Form
10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 28, 1996.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    FISCAL YEAR ENDED                       NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                       DECEMBER 30,                    ---------------------------
                                     ------------------------------------------------   SEPTEMBER      SEPTEMBER
                                       1991      1992      1993      1994      1995      30, 1995       28, 1996
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>            <C>
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
  OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue............................  $379,476  $418,724  $368,623  $429,072  $548,418  $  384,662     $  529,197
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of revenue..................    87,582    93,954    83,972    89,800   116,530      84,763        110,666
  Marketing and sales..............   147,180   159,009   160,212   163,408   185,025     130,351        160,952
  Research and development.........    68,157    66,432    74,467    77,381    88,566      65,210         85,147
  General and administrative.......    36,065    33,872    38,737    39,729    40,437      29,066         40,444
  Unusual items (1)................    55,236      (253)   19,650    14,707     --         --             --
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
      Total costs and expenses.....   394,220   353,014   377,038   385,025   430,558     309,390        397,209
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
Income (loss) from operations......   (14,744)   65,710    (8,415)   44,047   117,860      75,272        131,988
Other income (expense).............     2,541     2,636    (4,364)    4,816    17,237      16,992         (2,355)
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
Income (loss) before provision for
  income taxes.....................   (12,203)   68,346   (12,779)   48,863   135,097      92,264        129,633
Provision for income taxes.........    10,200    12,986     --       12,215    37,827      25,834         42,779
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
Net income (loss) (2)..............  $(22,403) $ 55,360  $(12,779) $ 36,648  $ 97,270  $   66,430     $   86,854
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
Net Income (loss) per common share
  (2)..............................  $  (0.25) $   0.53  $  (0.13) $   0.37  $   1.05  $     0.71     $     0.95
Common and common equivalent shares
  used in computing per share
  amounts (3)......................    89,612   103,800    96,885    98,805    92,948      93,170         91,095
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         AS OF
                                                    AS OF DECEMBER 30,                                 SEPTEMBER
                                     ------------------------------------------------                     28,
                                       1991      1992      1993      1994      1995                       1996
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------                 ------------
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>            <C>
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
  SHEET DATA:
Working capital....................  $118,955  $153,266  $104,996  $ 27,493  $  6,496                 $   11,427
Total assets.......................   347,074   367,243   339,301   361,048   374,035                    419,015
Long-term obligations and
  redeemable convertible preferred
  stock............................    14,811     5,722     4,001     2,098     1,619                     19,878
Stockholders' equity...............   185,117   249,148   206,122   176,063   134,081                    160,407
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
   
(1) See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included elsewhere
    in this Prospectus, for further discussion.
    
 
   
(2) Net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share included a $3.1 million
    after tax gain on the sale of an equity investment in the year ended
    December 31, 1994 and a $13.6 million after tax gain on the sale of stock of
    a subsidiary in the periods ended December 30, 1995 and September 30, 1995.
    
 
   
(3) See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included elsewhere
    in this Prospectus, for an explanation of the determination of the number of
    shares used in computing the per share amounts.
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
SELECTED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
    The following table sets forth the unaudited selected pro forma combined
financial data of the Company, CCT and HLDS. The unaudited pro forma combined
balance sheet data has been prepared as if both the CCT Merger, which is
expected to be accounted for as a pooling of interests by the Company, and the
HLDS Merger, which will be accounted for as a purchase by the Company, were
consummated as of September 28, 1996. The unaudited pro forma combined statement
of operations data for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, give effect
to the CCT Merger as if the CCT Merger were completed at the beginning of the
periods presented. The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations data
for the year ended December 30, 1995, and for the nine months ended September
30, 1995 and September 28, 1996, give effect to both the CCT Merger and HLDS
Merger as if both mergers were completed at the beginning of the periods
presented.
    
 
   
    The unaudited selected pro forma combined financial data is provided for
illustrative puposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the combined
financial position or combined results of operations that would have been
reported had the CCT Merger and HLDS Merger occurred on the dates indicated, nor
do they represent a forecast of the combined financial position or results of
operations for any future period. No pro forma adjustments have been included
herein which reflect potential effects of (i) the efficiencies which may be
obtained by combining the Company, CCT and HLDS operations or (ii) the costs of
restructuring, integrating or consolidating their operations. Certain statements
concerning the mergers, including descriptions of the mergers and pro forma
financial information, are forward looking statements that are subject to risks
and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that the CCT Merger or the HLDS
Merger will be completed as planned, that they will have the desired benefits or
that they will not have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition or results of operations. See "Risk Factors" for a description of
risks and uncertainties associated with the CCT Merger and the HLDS Merger.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          FISCAL YEARS ENDED            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                             DECEMBER 30,          ---------------------------
                                     ----------------------------   SEPTEMBER      SEPTEMBER
                                       1993      1994      1995      30, 1995       28, 1996
                                     --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
                                               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>            <C>
PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue............................  $375,917  $444,617  $581,987  $  408,156     $  564,306
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of revenue..................    84,324    91,426   121,841      88,505        115,374
  Marketing and sales..............   161,702   168,567   198,706     139,944        175,156
  Research and development.........    77,765    82,696    98,107      72,153         94,667
  General and administrative.......    39,225    41,637    48,624      35,387         45,928
  Unusual items (1)................    19,650    15,142     --         --             --
                                     --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
      Total costs and expenses.....   382,666   399,468   467,278     335,989        431,125
                                     --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
Income (loss) from operations......    (6,749)   45,149   114,709      72,167        133,181
Other income (expense).............    (4,385)    4,716    17,431      17,041         (2,165)
                                     --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
Income (loss) before provision for
  income taxes.....................   (11,134)   49,865   132,140      89,208        131,016
Provision for income taxes.........       603    12,574    37,843      25,630         43,940
                                     --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
Net income (loss) (2)..............  $(11,737) $ 37,291  $ 94,297  $   63,578     $   87,076
                                     --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
                                     --------  --------  --------  ------------   ------------
Net income (loss) per common share
  (2)..............................  $  (0.11) $   0.34  $   0.89  $     0.60     $     0.82
Common and common equivalent shares
  used in computing per share
  amounts..........................   105,500   108,146   106,098     106,019        106,070
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                     AS OF
                                                                                   SEPTEMBER
                                                                                    28, 1996
                                                                                  ------------
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>            <C>
PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
  DATA:
Cash and cash investments..........                                               $   89,410
Working capital....................                                                   32,232
Total assets.......................                                                  476,430
Long-term obligations and
  redeemable convertible preferred
  stock............................                                                   20,161
Stockholders' equity...............                                                  193,192
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
   
(1) See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company,
    included elsewhere in this Prospectus, for further discussion.
    
 
   
(2) Net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share included a $3.1 million
    after tax gain on the sale of an equity investment in the year ended
    December 30, 1994 and a $13.6 million after tax gain on the sale of stock of
    a subsidiary in the periods ended December 30, 1995 and September 30,1995.
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 AS
              COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
 
   
    EXCEPT FOR THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, THE FOLLOWING
DISCUSSION CONTAINS FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
DISCUSSED HEREIN. FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES
INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE DISCUSSED ABOVE IN "RISK FACTORS", AS
WELL AS THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED HEREIN BY
REFERENCE.
    
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    -------------------------------
                                                    SEPTEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 28,       %
                                                         1995             1996        CHANGE
                                                    --------------   --------------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
REVENUE                                                      (IN MILLIONS)
Product...........................................  $    202.1       $    291.2           44%
Service...........................................        44.4             80.4           81%
Maintenance.......................................       138.2            157.6           14%
                                                       -------          -------
    Total revenue.................................  $    384.7       $    529.2           38%
                                                       -------          -------
                                                       -------          -------
SOURCES OF REVENUE AS A PERCENT OF TOTAL REVENUE
Product...........................................         53%              55%
Service...........................................         11%              15%
Maintenance.......................................         36%              30%
</TABLE>
 
    Total revenue increased 38% from $384.7 million in 1995 to $529.2 million in
1996, primarily due to an increase in product and service revenue.
 
   
    The increase in product revenue for the nine months ended September 28, 1996
as compared with the same period of the prior year was primarily the result of
increased demand for the Company's products which enable customers to meet
complex design challenges, including deep submicron IC design. This was
exemplified by increased sales volume of its automatic place and route, physical
layout and verification and timing-driven design process tools.
    
 
    Service revenue increased for the nine months ended September 28, 1996 as
compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase in service revenue
in total dollars and as a percentage of total revenue was the result of
increased demand for the Company's Spectrum Services offerings. Additionally,
revenue for the nine months ended September 28, 1996 included a full nine months
of revenue related to the March 1995 outsourcing agreement with Unisys
Corporation ("Unisys") to assume substantial portions of Unisys' internal
silicon design operation.
 
   
    The increase in maintenance revenue in total dollars for the nine month
period ended September 28, 1996 as compared to the nine month period ended
September 30, 1995 was attributable to an increase in the Company's installed
base of products.
    
 
   
    Revenue from international sources grew 36% from 1995 to 1996 and was $262.0
million and $193.3 million for the nine month periods ended September 28, 1996
and September 30, 1995, respectively, representing 50% of total revenue in each
of those periods. The increase in revenue from
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
international sources was primarily attributable to product revenue growth and
new Spectrum Services contracts in all regions.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    -------------------------------
                                                    SEPTEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 28,       %
                                                         1995             1996        CHANGE
                                                    --------------   --------------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
COST OF REVENUE                                              (IN MILLIONS)
Product...........................................  $     34.2       $     35.5            4%
Service...........................................        38.2             57.4           50%
Maintenance.......................................        12.4             17.7           43%
 
COST OF REVENUE AS A PERCENT OF RELATED REVENUE
Product...........................................         17%              12%
Service...........................................         86%              71%
Maintenance.......................................          9%              11%
</TABLE>
 
    Cost of product revenue includes costs of production personnel, packaging
and documentation, amortization of capitalized software development costs and
purchased software costs and costs of the Company's automated test equipment
hardware business. Cost of product revenue increased in the nine month period
ended September 28, 1996 as compared to the same period in the prior year as a
result of the write off of approximately $1.6 million of capitalized software
development costs related to products at the end of their life cycle. The
decrease in cost of product revenue as a percentage of product revenue for the
nine months ended September 28, 1996 as compared to the nine months ended
September 30, 1995 was primarily due to revenues growing at a faster rate than
costs.
 
    Cost of service revenue includes personnel and related costs associated with
providing services to customers and the infrastructure to manage a service
organization, as well as costs to recruit, develop and retain service
professionals. Cost of service revenue increased in total dollars due to
increased service revenue and the continued development of this line of
business. In addition, as the Company utilized more of its design and service
resources to generate revenue, cost of service revenue as a percentage of
service revenue decreased as compared to the prior year. The costs for the nine
months ended September 28, 1996 included a full nine months of expenses related
to the March 1995 outsourcing agreement with Unisys to assume substantial
portions of Unisys' internal silicon design operation. As part of this
agreement, the Company retained approximately 180 hardware and software
designers and acquired fixed assets and certain intangibles. While primarily
focused on serving the needs of Unisys, the design and service resources
acquired by the Company are also intended to be used to support other customers'
design needs. Continued investment in developing new service offerings and the
cost of integrating new services professionals performing a growing number of
service offerings will continue to put pressure on service gross margins until
operating efficiencies are obtained.
 
    Cost of maintenance revenue includes the cost of customer services such as
hot-line and on-site support and the production cost of the maintenance renewal
process. Cost of maintenance increased in total dollars and as a percentage of
maintenance revenue due to additional on-site support costs necessary to support
a larger installed base.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    -------------------------------
                                                    SEPTEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 28,       %
                                                         1995             1996        CHANGE
                                                    --------------   --------------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
OPERATING EXPENSES                                           (IN MILLIONS)
Marketing and sales...............................  $    130.4       $    161.0           23%
Research and development, net.....................        65.2             85.1           31%
General and administrative........................        29.1             40.4           39%
 
EXPENSES AS A PERCENT OF TOTAL REVENUE
Marketing and sales...............................         34%              30%
Research and development..........................         17%              16%
General and administrative........................          8%               8%
</TABLE>
 
    The increase in marketing and sales expenses for the nine months ended
September 28, 1996, as compared to the same period in the prior year, was
primarily the result of increases in employee related expenses attributable to
increased headcount. Weakening of certain foreign currencies in relation to the
United States dollar favorably impacted marketing and sales expenses by
approximately $4.3 million for the nine month period ended September 28, 1996 as
compared to the prior year.
 
    For the nine months ended September 28, 1996, gross research and development
expenses were $95.3 million compared to $74.0 million for the same period in
1995. The Company capitalized approximately $10.2 million and $8.8 million of
software development costs which represented 11% and 12% of total research and
development expenditures made in those periods, respectively. The expense
increases for the nine month period of 1996 as compared to 1995 were primarily
attributable to increases in salary-related costs due to increased headcount
($11.3 million) and higher consulting and other outside service costs ($4.8
million). In any given period, the amount of capitalized software development
costs may vary depending on the exact nature of the development performed.
 
    General and administrative expenses increased in the nine month period ended
September 28, 1996 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily as
a result of higher legal costs of $5.8 million and higher consulting and outside
service costs of $3.3 million.
 
    For the nine months ended September 28, 1996, net other expense was $2.4
million of expense compared with $17.0 million of income for the same period in
1995. The decrease in net other income for the nine months ended September 28,
1996, as compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily the result
of an $18.9 million pre-tax gain from the sale of shares of common stock of the
Company's subsidiary, Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. in a registered
public offering in the prior year.
 
    The Company's estimated annual effective tax rate for fiscal 1996 is 33% as
compared to an annual effective tax rate of 28% for fiscal 1995. This estimated
increase in the tax rate is based on the limited availability of net operating
losses and tax credits and the potential effect of earnings generated in
countries which have a tax rate greater than the U.S. tax rate.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    At September 28, 1996, the Company's principal sources of liquidity
consisted of $85.2 million of cash and short-term investments and a three-year,
$120 million secured revolving line of credit agreement. As of September 28,
1996, the Company had no borrowings under the revolving line of credit.
 
    Cash generated from operating activities increased $9.0 million to $143.9
million for the nine months ended September 28, 1996, as compared to the nine
months ended September 30, 1995. The increase was primarily due to higher net
income and an increase in accrued liabilities and payables, partially offset by
an increase in accounts receivable.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
    At September 28, 1996, the Company had net working capital of $11.4 million
compared with $6.5 million at December 30, 1995. The primary reasons for the
increase were increases in accounts receivable of $10.5 million and increases in
prepaid expenses and other current assets of $12.2 million, partly offset by an
increase in deferred revenue of $8.7 million and a decrease in short-term
investments of $9.8 million. The increase in accounts receivable was
attributable to increased billing activity. The increase in deferred revenue was
attributable to increased maintenance renewals and an increase in deferred
product revenue in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants Statement of Position 91-1 entitled "Software Revenue Recognition."
    
 
    In addition to its short-term investments, the Company's primary investing
activities were purchases of property and equipment, purchases of software and
intangibles and the capitalization of software development costs, which combined
represented $70.2 million and $35.4 million of cash used for investing
activities in the nine months ended September 28, 1996 and September 30, 1995,
respectively.
 
    Since 1994, as part of its authorized stock repurchase program, the Company
has sold put warrants and purchased call options through private placements. The
Company had a maximum potential obligation related to the put warrants at
September 28, 1996 to buy back 2.4 million shares of its Common Stock at an
aggregate price of approximately $85.8 million. The put warrants will expire in
December 1996 through September 1997. The Company has both the unconditional
right and the intent to settle these put warrants with stock.
 
   
    In connection with and prior to the consummation of the CCT Merger, the
Company will rescind its stock repurchase program, with the exception of
continued systematic stock repurchases under its seasoned stock repurchase
program for the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). Such
repurchases are intended to cover the Company's expected reissuances under the
ESPP for the next 12 months. In addition, in order to qualify the CCT Merger for
pooling of interests accounting treatment, the Company is engaging in this
offering to cure its tainted shares from stock repurchases made for purposes
other than the ESPP.
    
 
    Anticipated cash requirements for the remainder of fiscal 1996 include the
purchase of treasury stock through the exercise of call options for the
Company's systematic stock repurchase program and the contemplated additions of
property, plant and equipment of approximately $15 million.
 
    As part of its overall investment strategy, the Company has committed to
participating in a venture capital partnership as a limited partner. The
Company's total committed investment of at least $25.0 million will be made over
the next three to four years. As of September 28, 1996, the Company had
contributed approximately $5.9 million, which is reflected in other assets in
the Company's balance sheet.
 
    The Company anticipates that current cash and short-term investment
balances, cash flows from operations, and the $120 million revolving line of
credit should be sufficient to meet its working capital and capital expenditure
requirements on a short and long-term basis.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
   
    EXCEPT FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION
CONTAINS FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE
COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED HEREIN.
FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO, THOSE DISCUSSED ABOVE IN "RISK FACTORS", AS WELL AS THOSE DISCUSSED
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
    
 
GENERAL
 
   
    Cadence develops, markets and supports electronic design automation ("EDA")
software tools that automate, enhance and accelerate the design and verification
of ICs and electronic systems. The Company combines its technology with services
to help optimize its customers' product development processes. The Company's
products and services are used by companies throughout the world to design and
develop electronic circuits and systems, including semiconductors, computer
systems and peripherals, telecommunications and networking equipment, mobile and
wireless devices, automotive components, consumer products and other advanced
electronics.
    
 
THE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN PROCESS
 
    The electrical design process involves describing the behavioral, functional
and structural attributes of an IC or electronic system. This process involves
creating a design description, simulating the design to identify electrical
defects and refining the description to meet predetermined design
specifications. The first step in the electrical design process is creation of
the design description. To handle the complexity of large designs, design
engineers use a variety of techniques, including block diagrams, equations or
special design description languages referred to as Hardware Description
Language ("HDL").
 
    Before an IC or PCB can be manufactured, high level design descriptions must
be detailed into a structural design, in which the engineer specifically defines
components, their interconnections and associated physical properties.
Structural designs may be created manually or generated using an automated
process called logic synthesis. In structural design, critical design time can
be saved by selecting components from an electronic library and including them
in the design, rather than recreating symbols and data for each design. A
database containing the design's electrical characteristics, interconnections
and specific design rules is automatically created and used as the foundation
for subsequent design steps.
 
    Electronics designers use simulation throughout the electrical design
process to identify design errors before the design is manufactured. In
addition, simulation enables electronics designers to quickly explore design
alternatives, and can be performed at different levels of design abstraction and
with mixed levels of abstraction. This enables a designer to verify the
conceptual, structural and performance aspects of the design. A key element in
the simulation process is the use of component libraries containing software
models of commonly used parts.
 
    When the design is determined to be functionally correct, the designer
generates a non-graphical description called a netlist that details the design
components and interconnections. This netlist becomes the blueprint for physical
design. Next, the physical design team determines the layout and associated
interconnection of the components on the target substrate that will yield the
optimum combination of performance, area and cost. Once this process is
completed, physical verification tools are used to provide a final check of the
design implementation before products are released to manufacturing. Accuracy in
this process is essential to avoiding costly production runs of faulty parts.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
THE CADENCE SOLUTION
 
   
    The Company's EDA tools are used by customers to analyze, simulate,
implement and verify electronic designs. In addition, the Company's tools let
design architects and engineers build abstract models of chips, simulate their
behavior, and analyze their physical attributes for acceptable performance. The
resulting productivity and accuracy improvements over earlier generation
approaches to IC design enable customers to develop increasingly complex,
high-quality electronic products with accelerated time to market schedules.
    
 
    Cadence offers services ranging from advanced tools training and methodology
assessment to joint design work with customers or even complete outsourcing of
its customer's design work. In addition, the Company believes that customer
support is a key factor in successfully marketing EDA products and generating
repeat orders. The Company's product maintenance contracts entitle the customers
to product updates, documentation and ongoing support.
 
    The Company is pursuing a strategy of combining a broad suite of design
tools with world-class support, design and process services to enable its
customers to accelerate their product development efforts, improve their design
productivity and successfully cope with the increasing complexity of IC and
electronic system design. The design process is becoming more complicated as
customers are seeking to create higher performance products, lower development
costs, improve time to market and migrate their design and manufacturing efforts
to utilize deep submicron technologies. As a consequence, the Company believes
that its solutions-oriented approach to providing both EDA tools and services
will enable customers to more effectively respond to demanding market
requirements.
 
CADENCE PRODUCTS
 
    CAE PRODUCTS
 
    Cadence is a leader in the computer aided engineering ("CAE") market
primarily based on its strong market presence in logic simulation. The Company's
Verilog HDL logic simulator, Verilog XL, is used by numerous ASIC vendors and
supports over 185 ASIC libraries.
 
    The Company offers a broad suite of tools for logic synthesis. The Synergy
product line provides designers the ability to easily target their design for
implementation into an ASIC, Field Programmable Gate Array ("FPGA") or
Programmable Logic Device ("PLD") design. Synergy enables designers to make
critical tradeoffs between area, power and performance to optimize their design
based on specific design requirements. With the advent of deep submicron
technology, successful completion of complex designs will require companies to
adopt new methodologies and utilize innovative design automation tools. Success
will be predicated on introducing physical design knowledge into the logic
design process to ensure that the resultant silicon will meet required
specifications. The adoption of design planning tools will become increasingly
important for electronics designers because such tools provide the necessary
bridge between the logic and physical domains. An advanced high level design
planning environment allows engineers to accurately predict physical effects
that are used to provide guidelines for logic optimization and final
implementation. Cadence has developed a broad portfolio of design planning
tools, including Preview and Silicon Quest.
 
    IC DESIGN PRODUCTS
 
    Cadence's custom layout portfolio is anchored by the Virtuoso product
family. This suite consists of tools for basic layout editing, design
compaction, layout synthesis and device-level editing. In 1995, the Company
introduced Virtuoso FastChip, which provides the ability to rapidly create cells
and blocks for applications including random logic, standard cell blocks and
library elements, reducing overall design time. In addition, FastChip allows
them to perform extensive "what-if" analysis with design variables like
placement and aspect ratios that have significant bearing on performance.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    The Ensemble product family provides advanced place and route ("P&R")
solutions for gate, cell, block and mixed designs. The Company offers two
products for cell based routing, Cell Ensemble, which is finely tuned for two
layer metal designs, and Cell3, which is based on advanced routing algorithms
for three layer and above metal designs. Silicon Ensemble, which is based on
Cadence's proprietary area-based architecture and was introduced in early 1996,
provides a broad solution for routing up designs that consist of a mix of cell
and gate-based approaches. In addition, Silicon Ensemble includes several
specialized routing engines to deal with specific design challenges like
datapath, complex clock trees, crosstalk and low power.
 
    Cadence's product lines for automated and interactive physical verification
are anchored by the Dracula and Diva products, respectively. In 1995, the
Company introduced Vampire, which provides advanced hierarchical design
capability necessary to verify large scale chips.
 
    SYSTEM DESIGN PRODUCTS
 
    The Allegro product line offers broad solutions for layout of standard PCB,
hybrid, multi-chip modules ("MCM") and advanced component packaging. In
addition, the Company offers thermal, signal integrity, reliability and
electromagnetic analysis tools for detecting potential manufacturing problems.
In 1995, the Company introduced BoardQuest, which is specifically tailored for
the needs of high-speed system designers, offering an advanced system planning
environment to accurately predict thermal, interconnect and electromagnetic
effects early in the design process.
 
   
    The Analog Artist series provides a broad set of simulation, layout and
verification tools for chip design. This product family features the Spectre
high speed circuit simulation family of products. In 1994, the Company
introduced SpectreHDL, the industry's first analog behavioral simulation system
for analog and mixed-signal applications. In 1995, the Company further expanded
the product offering with the introduction of SpectreRF, simulation technology
utilized specifically for the design of radio frequency applications. For analog
system and board level design, the Company's Analog Workbench offers tools from
top-down design through board design.
    
 
    ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS DESIGN AUTOMATION PRODUCTS
 
   
    The Company offers a class of software for top-down design known as
Electronic Systems Design Automation ("ESDA"). The Company's ESDA products are
designed to allow customers to include product concepts in the EDA environment,
accelerating and enhancing the early phases of system development. The Signal
Processing Workbench tool set provides customers with a higher level of design
automation for a number of application areas including wireless communications,
networking and multi-media. The Signal Processing Workbench includes a large
applications library of design blocks, a complete technology base and a
visualization and analysis environment. Once the design is conceptualized, the
Signal Processing Workbench provides links to implementation which include
multiple capabilities that allow the design to be passed downstream to ASIC and
IC engineers.
    
 
    CADENCE'S SPECTRUM SERVICES
 
    Cadence offers a range of design development and support services to its
customers, from assistance with specific designs to a complete re-engineering of
the product design process, and even a complete outsourcing of a particular
design operation. The Company works with the customer's executive management and
engineering team to assess a customer's design goals and objectives and
translate those goals into design solutions.
 
    The Company's services offerings include product design, library design,
design process and software services. Cadence offers product design services to
facilitate complex IC design targeted to on-time completion with reliability.
The Company offers on-site design assistance and full service chip designs.
Library design services assist in the optimization of libraries for performance,
density, quality,
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
reliability and testability and the targeting of existing libraries to multiple
foundry sources and product applications. The Company also offers design process
services to assist its customers management and engineering teams to optimize
their internal design process by providing a product development environment
blueprint and implementation management.
 
    In addition, Cadence offers application and education services that
facilitate the implementation and assimilation of the Company tools and
technology, aimed at maximizing customers' productivity with the Company's
software applications.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
    The Company believes that the CCT Merger and the HLDS Merger will allow
Cadence to obtain new technologies and expand and enhance its product lines and
research and development programs. Following the mergers, the Company intends to
combine the operations and technologies of the Company, CCT and HLDS as soon as
practicable. For a discussion of the risks associated with a failure to
consummate the mergers, see "Risk Factors" (including "Proposed Acquisitions;
Failure to Consummate Proposed Acquisitions; Uncertainty Relating to
Integration").
 
    CCT
 
    CCT develops, markets and supports software tools that help designers route
the wires that interconnect the electronic devices on high performance PCBs and
ICs. CCT's products are differentiated by CCT's proprietary ShapeBased
technology, which CCT believes offers significant advantages over traditional
grid-based routing tools for complex PCB and IC design applications. CCT
initially developed ShapeBased routing products for the PCB market and
introduced its first product, SPECCTRA, in December 1989. In early 1995, CCT
entered the IC layout market by leveraging its ShapeBased routing technology to
develop its IC Craftsman product line. IC Craftsman is designed to solve the
interconnect problems inherent in deep submicron IC design.
 
    In addition, CCT's ShapeBased technology models the physical components on
the circuit layers as a set of exact shapes (e.g., circles, rectangles, paths
and polygons). Unlike grid-based systems, each shape retains the key electrical
characteristics of the component it represents. Because electrical properties of
the components are known, this allows CCT's autorouter to more effectively obey
design and space constraints while completing a correct interconnect design.
 
    At the core of CCT's products are proprietary autorouting algorithms built
upon CCT's ShapeBased architecture. CCT initially developed ShapeBased products
for the PCB market, where interconnect problems were not adequately addressed by
traditional grid-based systems. As IC manufacturing technology has progressed to
the deep submicron level, interconnect has emerged as a critical factor
affecting cost and performance of ICs. In early 1995 CCT entered the IC layout
market by leveraging its ShapeBased autorouting technology to develop products
that solve the interconnect problems inherent in deep submicron IC design.
 
    HLDS
 
    HLDS develops, markets and supports EDA software for the design of
high-density, high performance ICs. HLDS' products are designed to solve the
problems inherent in deep submicron (less than 0.5 micron) IC design and to
offer improved time to market, enhanced IC performance and reduced development
and manufacturing costs when compared to previous generations of EDA software.
 
    HLDS offers three principal design planning products that have application
at several stages of the design process. These design planning products include
Top-Down DP, which has been released for limited customer use, for application
by hardware description language designers in the functional
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
design phase; Logic DP, for application by gate level designers in the logic
implementation phase; and Physical DP, for application by layout engineers in
the physical implementation and verification phase.
 
    HLDS also offers an EDA infrastructure product on which newly defined deep
submicron design methodologies can be implemented. HLDS' infrastructure product,
called Pillar, provides computer aided design ("CAD") developers who are
responsible for implementing deep submicron methodologies with a database,
graphical user interface, applications programming interfaces and a software
development environment. Pillar allows "best of breed" deep submicron tools to
be integrated quickly and cost effectively and facilitates internal development
of other tools.
 
    HLDS also offers two other standalone EDA tools to solve specific deep
submicron design problems: HyperExtract and Fasnet Delay Calculator. These tools
complement HLDS' design planning products and may be integrated with HLDS'
Pillar infrastructure product. HyperExtract is a deep submicron interconnect
extraction tool that allows distributed resistance and capacitance (including
interlayer and coupling capacitance) to be extracted from design databases.
Fasnet Delay Calculator is a standalone deep submicron delay calculator that
allows gate and interconnect delays to be accurately calculated based on a set
of gate models and interconnect resistance and capacitance characteristics.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
    Information below with respect to the executive officers and directors of
the Company as of November 5, 1996 is set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                   AGE                        POSITION
- ------------------------------------   ---   --------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>   <C>
Joseph B. Costello                     42    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
H. Raymond Bingham                     51    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
                                               Officer
 
M. Robert Leach                        48    Senior Vice President, Spectrum Services
 
Darrel A. Mank                         48    Senior Vice President, Design Services
 
K.C. Murphy                            42    Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy
 
John F. Olsen                          45    Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales
 
Shane Robison                          42    Senior Vice President, Engineering
 
Timothy Q. Unger                       42    Senior Vice President, Human Resources
 
Anthony Zingale                        41    Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing
 
R.L. Smith McKeithen                   52    Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
Carol Bartz                            48    Director
 
Henry E. Johnston                      53    Director
 
Dr. Leonard Y.W. Liu                   55    Director
 
Donald L. Lucas                        66    Director
 
Dr. Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli    49    Director
 
George M. Scalise                      62    Director
 
Dr. John B. Shoven                     49    Director
 
James E. Solomon                       60    Director
</TABLE>
 
    JOSEPH B. COSTELLO has served as President and a director of the Company
since May 1988. In addition, Mr. Costello has served as Chief Executive Officer
of the Company since June 1988. Previously he served as a director of SDA
Systems, Inc. ("SDA"), from May 1987 to May 1988. From March 1986 to March 1987,
he served as SDA's President and Chief Operating Officer.
 
   
    H. RAYMOND BINGHAM joined the Company in June 1993 as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company, he was
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Red Lion Hotels and Inns
for eight years. Mr. Bingham is a director of Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. and
Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc.
    
 
    M. ROBERT LEACH joined the Company in June 1993 as Senior Vice President of
Spectrum Services. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Leach was partner-in-charge
of the worldwide electronics industry consulting practice for Andersen
Consulting for more than 10 years.
 
    DARREL A. MANK joined the Company in June 1996 as Senior Vice President,
Design Services. From 1991 through 1996, Mr. Mank served as Vice President and
General Manager of the portable products division of Cirrus Logic, Inc.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
    K.C. MURPHY joined the Company in April 1996 as Senior Vice President,
Corporate Strategy. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Murphy worked for 17 years
at Advanced Micro Devices where he held various positions, most recently Vice
President of Strategic Marketing.
 
    JOHN F. OLSEN joined the Company in May 1994 as Senior Vice President, Field
Operations and has served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales, since April
1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Olsen served as a partner for KPMG Peat
Marwick for five years.
 
   
    SHANE V. ROBISON joined the Company in July 1995 as Senior Vice President,
Engineering. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Robison served as Vice President
and General Manager of Apple Computer's Personal Interactive Electronics
Division for more than seven years.
    
 
   
    TIMOTHY Q. UNGER joined the Company in September 1994 as Vice President,
Human Resources, and became Senior Vice President, Human Resources in January
1996. From 1988 through 1995, Mr. Unger was Group Director of Human Resources
for Unisys Corporation.
    
 
   
    ANTHONY ZINGALE joined the Company in April 1989 and currently holds the
position of Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing. He previously served the
Company as Vice President and General Manager of the HDL Design Group, Vice
President of Corporate Marketing and Vice President of Marketing for the Systems
Division. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Zingale was Vice President of
Marketing at EDA Systems, Inc., which was acquired by Digital Equipment
Corporation.
    
 
   
    R.L. SMITH MCKEITHEN joined the Company in June 1996 as Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary. From 1994 to 1996, he served as Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary of Strategic Mapping, Inc. From 1988 to 1994, he
served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Silicon Graphics,
Inc.
    
 
    CAROL BARTZ has served as a director of the Company since February 1994. Ms.
Bartz has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Autodesk, Inc. since
April 1992. From 1983 to April 1992, Ms. Bartz served in various positions with
Sun Microsystems, Inc., most recently as Vice President of Worldwide Field
Operations. Ms. Bartz is also a director of AirTouch Communications, Inc. and
Network Appliance, Inc.
 
    HENRY E. JOHNSTON has served as a director of the Company since July 1994.
From 1983 to January 1994, Mr. Johnston was Corporate Vice President and from
1989 was also Division President of the Manufacturing and Distribution Business
Unit of Electronic Data Systems Corporation. Since January 1994, Mr. Johnston
has been a private individual investor.
 
    DR. LEONARD Y.W. LIU has served as a director of the Company since June
1989. Dr. Liu has served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Walker Interactive Systems, Inc. since June 1995. Dr. Liu also served as
Chief Operating Officer of the Company from January 1993 until March 1995.
Before joining the Company, Dr. Liu was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Acer America Corporation and President of Acer, Inc., personal computer
suppliers, from 1989 until March 1992. From 1969 until April 1989, Dr. Liu held
various technical and general management positions at IBM Corporation, including
as Manager of its Santa Teresa Laboratory. Dr. Liu is also a director of Trident
Microsystems.
 
   
    DONALD L. LUCAS has served as Chairman of the Board of the Company since May
1988. Prior to that date, Mr. Lucas served as Chairman of the Board and director
of SDA from its inception in July 1983 to March 1987. Mr. Lucas has been a
private venture capital investor since 1960. He is a director of Amati
Communications Corporation, formerly ICOT Corporation, Macromedia, Inc., Oracle
Corporation, Racotek, Inc., Transcend Services, Inc. and Tricord Systems,
Incorporated.
    
 
   
    DR. ALBERTO SANGIOVANNI-VINCENTELLI has served as a director of the Company
since December 1992. Dr. Sangiovanni-Vincentelli has been Professor of
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California at
Berkeley since 1976.
    
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    GEORGE M. SCALISE has served as a director since June 1989. Mr. Scalise
became Senior Vice President of Planning and Development and Chief
Administrative Officer of Apple Computer Inc. in March 1996. Mr. Scalise served
as Senior Vice President of Planning and Development and Chief Administrative
Officer of National Semiconductor Corporation from August 1991 to March 1996.
From July 1987 to January 1991, Mr. Scalise was President and Chief Executive
Officer of Maxtor Corporation, a disk drive manufacturer. He is also a director
of Tower Semiconductor, Ltd.
 
    DR. JOHN B. SHOVEN has served as a director of the Company since April 1992.
Dr. Shoven has been Dean of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University since
September 1993. From 1979 to August 1993, he served as Professor of Economics at
Stanford University. He also served as Director for the Center for Economics
Policy Research at Stanford University from 1988 to 1993.
 
   
    JAMES E. SOLOMON has served as director of the Company since May 1988. Mr.
Solomon, who currently is a part-time employee of the Company, is President and
Chief Executive Officer of XULU Entertainment, Inc. Mr. Solomon was a founder of
SDA in 1983 and served in a variety of executive and technical positions of SDA
and the Company from that date until May 1996, including Chairman and President
of SDA, Co-Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, President of the
Company's Analog Division and Senior Vice President and Principal Technologist
of the Company. Mr. Solomon is a Director of Integrated Measurement Systems,
Inc.
    
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company has agreed to sell to each of the Underwriters named below, and each of
such Underwriters, for whom Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated are acting as representatives, has severally agreed to purchase
from the Company, the respective number of shares of Common Stock set forth
opposite its name below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NUMBER OF
                                                               SHARES OF
                        UNDERWRITER                           COMMON STOCK
- ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co.........................................
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated...........................
 
                                                              ------------
    Total...................................................    5,000,000
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>
 
    Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares offered hereby,
if any are taken.
 
    The Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock in part
directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page
of this Prospectus and in part to certain securities dealers at such price less
a concession of $    per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession not in excess of $    per share to certain brokers and
dealers. After the shares of Common Stock are released for sale to the public,
the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by
the representatives.
 
    The Company has granted the Underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days
after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to an aggregate of 750,000
additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If
the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, the Underwriters have
severally agreed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the
same percentage thereof that the number of shares to be purchased by each of
them, as shown in the foregoing table, bears to the 5,000,000 shares of Common
Stock offered.
 
   
    The Company and certain executive officers and directors of the Company have
agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, during the period beginning from the
date of this Prospectus and continuing to and including the date 90 days after
the date of this Prospectus, they will not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell
or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Common Stock (other than pursuant to
existing employee stock option or stock purchase plans, or on the conversion or
exchange of outstanding convertible or exchangeable securities, on the date of
this Prospectus) without the prior written consent of the representatives,
except for: the shares of Common Stock offered in connection with the offering;
325,000 shares of Common Stock held by such executive officers and directors;
shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the CCT Merger and HLDS Merger
(or in the event the HLDS Merger cannot be consummated prior to the CCT Merger,
up to 2,600,000 shares of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering or a
managed private placement if necessary to permit the CCT Merger to qualify for
pooling of interests accounting treatment); shares of Common Stock valued in the
aggregate at less than $3,000,000 to be issued in connection with acquisitions;
and warrants to purchase in the aggregate not more than 100,000 shares of Common
Stock.
    
 
   
    The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
    The Company retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. to act as its financial advisor in
connection with the CCT Merger and the HLDS Merger. The Company has agreed to
pay Goldman, Sachs & Co. customary fees for its financial advisory services in
connection with each merger, including rendering to the Company an opinion as to
the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration to be paid for
each of CCT and HLDS. Such fees will be paid in the form of a combination of
cash or warrants as may be agreed to between the Company and Goldman, Sachs &
Co.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
   
    The validity of the shares of Common Stock to be offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Company by Cooley Godward LLP, Palo Alto, California.
Certain attorneys at Cooley Godward LLP who have performed services for the
Company own an aggregate of 1,883 shares of Common Stock. In addition, a partner
of Cooley Godward LLP served as Acting General Counsel to the Company from
November 1995 to June 1996. Certain legal matters relating to the offering will
be passed upon for the Underwriters by Venture Law Group, A Professional
Corporation, Menlo Park, California.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The audited consolidated financial statements of Cadence Design Systems,
Inc. included in and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and
Registration Statement, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
included in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
reports.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PAGE
                                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                                         <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants..................................................  F-2
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994, December 30, 1995 and September 28,
  1996....................................................................................  F-3
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994 and
  December 30, 1995 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and September 28,
  1996....................................................................................  F-4
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1993 and
  1994 and December 30, 1995 and for the nine months ended September 28, 1996.............  F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994 and
  December 30, 1995 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and September 28,
  1996....................................................................................  F-6
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................................  F-8
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
 
 CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC:
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cadence
Design Systems, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December
31, 1994 and December 30, 1995, and the related consolidated statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 30, 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 30, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
San Jose, California
January 19, 1996 (except for the
matters discussed in Note 15,
as to which the date is
November 7, 1996)
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 30,     SEPTEMBER
                                                                  1994            1995          28, 1996
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                  ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash investments.................................  $    75,011     $    84,867     $    83,211
  Short-term investments....................................       21,865          11,774           2,023
  Accounts receivable, less allowances of $4,905 in 1994,
    $7,420 in 1995 and $6,651 in 1996.......................       78,629          88,503          99,030
  Inventories...............................................        5,137           8,203           7,830
  Prepaid expenses and other................................       11,293          13,576          25,761
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
    Total current assets....................................      191,935         206,923         217,855
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net..........................      122,064         124,103         149,685
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS, net.............................       27,832          25,793          24,019
PURCHASED SOFTWARE AND INTANGIBLES, net.....................       10,557           8,268           9,415
OTHER ASSETS................................................        8,660           8,948          18,041
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
    Total assets............................................  $   361,048     $   374,035     $   419,015
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
 
                                   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt.......  $    26,412     $     1,497     $     3,422
  Accounts payable..........................................       12,522          17,592          17,396
  Accrued liabilities.......................................       56,359          74,407          77,578
  Income taxes payable......................................        7,944          14,524           6,960
  Deferred revenue..........................................       61,205          92,407         101,072
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
    Total current liabilities...............................      164,442         200,427         206,428
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
  Long-term debt............................................        2,098           1,619          19,878
  Deferred income taxes.....................................          904           7,307           2,590
  Minority interest liability...............................          883          12,167          15,246
  Other long-term liabilities...............................       16,658          18,434          14,466
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
    Total long-term liabilities.............................       20,543          39,527          52,180
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock - $.01 par value; authorized 2,000 shares,
    none issued.............................................      --              --              --
  Common stock and capital in excess of $.01 par value:
    Authorized: 150,000 shares
    Issued: 107,086 shares in 1994, 113,794 shares in 1995
    and
      117,015 shares in 1996
    Outstanding: 85,291 shares in 1994, 78,564 shares in
    1995
      and 77,530 shares in 1996.............................      265,173         299,544         351,035
  Treasury stock at cost (21,795 shares in 1994, 35,230
    shares in 1995 and 39,484 shares in 1996)...............     (133,728)       (290,884)       (399,263)
  Retained earnings.........................................       43,377         124,471         209,412
  Accumulated translation adjustment........................        1,241             950            (777)
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
    Total stockholders' equity..............................      176,063         134,081         160,407
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity..............  $   361,048     $   374,035     $   419,015
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                              ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                FISCAL YEARS ENDED                     NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    ------------------------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                        1993           1994           1995           1995            1996
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
                                                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
REVENUE:
  Product.........................................  $   224,139    $   241,545    $   292,198    $    202,104    $    291,214
  Service.........................................       16,872         28,365         65,860          44,335          80,405
  Maintenance.....................................      127,612        159,162        190,360         138,223         157,578
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
    Total revenue.................................      368,623        429,072        548,418         384,662         529,197
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Cost of product.................................       53,677         52,897         44,793          34,163          35,539
  Cost of service.................................       15,431         22,590         54,988          38,184          57,420
  Cost of maintenance.............................       14,864         14,313         16,749          12,416          17,707
  Marketing and sales.............................      160,212        163,408        185,025         130,351         160,952
  Research and development........................       74,467         77,381         88,566          65,210          85,147
  General and administrative......................       38,737         39,729         40,437          29,066          40,444
  Unusual items...................................       19,650         14,707        --              --              --
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
    Total costs and expenses......................      377,038        385,025        430,558         309,390         397,209
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
Income (loss) from operations.....................       (8,415)        44,047        117,860          75,272         131,988
Other income (expense)............................       (4,364)         4,816         17,237          16,992          (2,355)
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes...      (12,779)        48,863        135,097          92,264         129,633
Provision for income taxes........................      --              12,215         37,827          25,834          42,779
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
Net income (loss).................................  $   (12,779)   $    36,648    $    97,270    $     66,430    $     86,854
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
Net income (loss) per share.......................  $     (0.13)   $      0.37    $      1.05    $       0.71    $       0.95
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
Weighted average common and common equivalent
  shares outstanding..............................       96,885         98,805         92,948          93,170          91,095
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       COMMON STOCK
                                                  -----------------------
                                                            PAR VALUE AND      TREASURY STOCK                ACCUMULATED
                                                             CAPITAL IN     --------------------  RETAINED   TRANSLATION
                                                   SHARES   EXCESS OF PAR    SHARES     AMOUNT    EARNINGS   ADJUSTMENT
                                                  --------  -------------   --------  ----------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>       <C>             <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1992......................    98,797  $    228,411       --     $   --      $  21,306  $     (569)
Purchase of treasury stock......................     --          --          (10,929)    (52,178)    --          --
Issuance of common stock........................     2,429        10,805       --         --         --          --
Tax benefits from employee stock transactions...     --              842       --         --         --          --
Common stock issued in connection with
  acquisition...................................     2,362         9,056       --         --         --          --
Issuance of warrant in connection with
  acquisition...................................     --            1,847       --         --         --          --
Translation adjustment..........................     --          --            --         --         --            (619)
Net loss........................................     --          --            --         --        (12,779)     --
                                                  --------  -------------   --------  ----------  ---------  -----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1993......................   103,588       250,961     (10,929)    (52,178)     8,527      (1,188)
Purchase of treasury stock......................     --          --          (13,441)    (95,119)    --          --
Issuance of common stock........................     3,498        13,516       1,444       7,231     (1,165)     --
Tax benefits from employee stock transactions...     --              626       --         --         --          --
Treasury stock issued in connection with
  acquisitions..................................     --               70       1,131       6,338       (633)     --
Translation adjustment..........................     --          --            --         --         --           2,429
Net income......................................     --          --            --         --         36,648      --
                                                  --------  -------------   --------  ----------  ---------  -----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994......................   107,086       265,173     (21,795)   (133,728)    43,377       1,241
Purchase of treasury stock......................     --          --          (14,430)   (163,928)    --          --
Issuance of common stock........................     6,708        26,984         995       6,772       (734)     --
Tax benefits from employee stock transactions...     --            8,463       --         --         --          --
Purchase of warrant.............................     --           (1,746)      --         --        (15,442)     --
Unrealized gain on investment in subsidiary.....     --              670       --         --         --          --
Translation adjustment..........................     --          --            --         --         --            (291)
Net income......................................     --          --            --         --         97,270      --
                                                  --------  -------------   --------  ----------  ---------  -----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 30, 1995......................   113,794       299,544     (35,230)   (290,884)   124,471         950
Purchase of treasury stock......................     --          --           (4,755)   (113,780)    --          --
Issuance of common stock........................     3,221        22,661         501       5,401     --          --
Purchase of warrant.............................     --           (2,437)      --         --         (1,913)     --
Tax benefits from employee stock transactions...     --           31,267       --         --         --          --
Translation adjustment..........................     --          --            --         --         --          (1,727)
Net income......................................     --          --            --         --         86,854      --
                                                  --------  -------------   --------  ----------  ---------  -----------
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 (Unaudited).........   117,015  $    351,035     (39,484) $ (399,263) $ 209,412  $     (777)
                                                  --------  -------------   --------  ----------  ---------  -----------
                                                  --------  -------------   --------  ----------  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     FISCAL YEAR ENDED                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                         ------------------------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                             1993           1994           1995           1995            1996
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
                                                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......  $    78,976    $    61,382    $    75,011    $     75,011    $     84,867
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)....................................      (12,779)        36,648         97,270          66,430          86,854
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
    cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization......................       43,966         44,257         46,019          35,287          39,755
    Gain on sale of stock of subsidiary................      --             --             (18,873)        (18,873)        --
    Deferred income taxes..............................       (9,849)        (2,105)         5,693           5,443          (4,718)
    Write-off of in-process research and development...      --               4,653        --              --              --
    Accruals and write-down and reserve of assets
      related to restructure...........................       10,710        --             --              --              --
    Increase in other long-term liabilities and
      minority interest expense........................        1,856          3,985          3,135             316           1,957
    Write-offs of equipment and other long-term
      assets...........................................        3,140          1,229          2,281           2,747              75
    Provisions for doubtful accounts and inventory
      write-offs.......................................        3,029          3,334          5,821           3,232         --
    Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of
      effect of acquired businesses:
      Accounts receivable..............................       28,724         22,413        (13,760)         11,479         (11,890)
      Inventories......................................          (32)          (592)        (4,059)         (3,060)         (1,480)
      Prepaid expenses and other.......................        1,347          7,871         (2,132)         (3,492)        (12,145)
      Accrued liabilities and payables.................       16,013         10,612         44,439          19,356          35,834
      Deferred revenue.................................       11,134         22,133         31,262          16,078           9,679
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
        Net cash provided by operating activities......       97,259        154,438        197,096         134,943         143,921
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Maturities of short-term investments...............       63,273         69,796         43,296          39,296          17,610
    Purchases of short-term investments................      (83,753)       (60,238)       (33,205)        (33,069)         (7,859)
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment.........      (18,500)       (15,196)       (28,338)        (18,585)        (42,873)
    Capitalization of software development costs.......      (15,207)       (10,790)       (11,845)         (8,778)        (10,210)
    Change in purchased software and intangibles and
      other assets.....................................       (4,228)         1,129         (5,454)         (8,065)        (17,166)
    Net proceeds from sale of subsidiary stock.........      --             --              29,920          29,920         --
    Payment for purchase of third-party interests in
      partnerships, net of cash acquired...............      --             (14,624)       --              --              --
    Cash advanced to a company prior to acquisition....      --              (1,855)       --              --              --
    Sale of put warrants...............................      --              10,321          1,304           1,057          13,870
    Purchase of call options...........................      --             (10,321)        (1,304)         (1,057)        (13,870)
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
        Net cash provided by (used for) investing
          activities...................................      (58,415)       (31,778)        (5,626)            719         (60,498)
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Principal payments on notes payable and long-term
      debt.............................................       (8,117)       (29,209)       (26,542)         (2,773)         (1,872)
    Net procceds from issuance of long-term debt.......      --             --             --              --               19,763
    Sale of common stock...............................        4,283         13,516         26,500          21,568          16,659
    Purchases of treasury stock........................      (52,178)       (95,119)      (163,928)       (107,498)       (113,582)
    Purchase of warrant................................      --             --             (17,188)        (17,188)         (4,347)
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
        Net cash used for financing activities.........      (56,012)      (110,812)      (181,158)       (105,891)        (83,379)
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH................         (426)         1,781           (456)          4,787          (1,700)
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS.......      (17,594)        13,629          9,856          34,558          (1,656)
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS AT END OF PERIOD.............  $    61,382    $    75,011    $    84,867    $    109,569    $     83,211
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                                                         ------------------------------------------
                                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 30,
                                                             1993           1994           1995
                                                         ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
    Cash paid during the year for:
      Interest.........................................  $       541    $       915    $     2,423
      Income taxes (including foreign withholding
       tax)............................................        3,884          6,885         12,968
    Non-cash investing and financing activities:
      Capital lease obligations incurred for
       equipment.......................................        4,441          1,466          1,149
      Common and treasury stock issued under the
       Employee Stock Purchase Plan....................        6,522          6,066          6,522
      Tax benefits from employee stock transactions....          842            626          8,463
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. THE COMPANY
 
    Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (the "Company") develops, markets and supports
electronic design automation software products and services that automate,
enhance and accelerate the design and verification of integrated circuits and
electronic systems. The Company combines its technology with services to help
optimize its customers' product development processes. The Company's customers
and target markets include computer manufacturers, consumer electronics
companies, industrial electronics companies, semiconductor manufacturers, ASIC
foundries and telecommunications companies throughout the world.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts
and transactions. The functional currency of all of the Company's foreign
subsidiaries is the local currency. Gains and losses resulting from the
translation of the subsidiaries' financial statements are reported as a separate
component of stockholders' equity. Effective December 31, 1994, the Company's
fiscal year end is the Saturday closest to December 31.
 
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
    Certain prior year financial statement balances have been reclassified to
conform to the 1995 presentation.
 
    UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The unaudited interim financial statements as of September 28, 1996 and for
the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and September 28, 1996 have been
prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and, in the
opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of only normal
recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial information set
forth therein, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The
Company believes the results of operations for the interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.
 
    REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    Product revenue consists principally of revenue earned under software
license agreements and is generally recognized when the software has been
shipped and there are no significant obligations remaining. Revenue from
subscription license agreements which include software and maintenance is
deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period. Test
equipment revenue is recognized upon shipment of the test equipment.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
    Service revenue consists primarily of revenues received for performing
product design development and process improvement, and education and
assimilation of software products into the customers' product development
process. Service revenue is generally recognized as the services are performed
or on the percentage of completion method of accounting, depending upon the
nature of the project. Under the percentage of completion method, revenue
recognized is that portion of the total contract price that costs expended to
date bears to the anticipated final total costs based on current estimates of
the costs to complete the project. If the total estimated costs to complete a
project exceed the total contract amount, indicating a loss, the entire
anticipated loss would be recognized currently.
 
    Maintenance revenue consists of fees for providing system updates, user
documentation and technical support for software products. Maintenance revenue
is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement.
 
    In 1993, 1994 and 1995, one customer (a distributor), which also holds a
minority interest in a subsidiary of the Company, accounted for 13%, 10% and 15%
of total revenue, respectively.
 
    Outstanding trade accounts receivable from this related party were
approximately $3.7 million and $5.4 million at December 31, 1994 and December
30, 1995, respectively.
 
    SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND PURCHASED SOFTWARE AND INTANGIBLES
 
    The Company capitalizes software development costs in compliance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 86, "Accounting for the
Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed."
Capitalization of software development costs begins upon the establishment of
technological feasibility of the product. The establishment of technological
feasibility and the ongoing assessment of the recoverability of these costs
requires considerable judgment by management with respect to certain external
factors, but not limited to, anticipated future gross product revenue, estimated
economic life and changes in software and hardware technology. Amortization of
capitalized software development costs begins when the products are available
for general release to customers and is generally computed on a straight-line
basis over three years or, if less, the remaining estimated economic life of the
product. Purchased software and intangibles are amortized on a straight-line
basis over the remaining estimated economic life of the underlying product (two
to seven years). It is reasonably possible that the estimates of anticipated
future gross revenues, the remaining estimated economic life of the products, or
both could differ from those used to assess the recoverability of these costs
and result in a write-down of the carrying amount or a shortened life of the
costs in the near term.
 
    In the accompanying statements of income, amortization is included in cost
of product for capitalized software development costs and in either cost of
product or cost of service for purchased software costs, as determined by the
nature of the underlying transaction. In total, amortization of capitalized and
purchased software and intangibles amounted to approximately $17.1 million,
$20.2 million and $19.7 million for 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. The
Company wrote off $1.5 million of capitalized software in 1993 and $0.8 million
of purchased software in 1995 for projects discontinued during the year.
 
    NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
 
    Net income per share for each period is calculated by dividing net income by
the weighted average shares of common stock and common stock equivalents
outstanding during the period (calculated
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
using the modified treasury stock method). Common stock equivalents consist of
dilutive shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding common stock options
and warrants. Net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Fully diluted net income
(loss) per share is substantially the same as primary net income (loss) per
share.
 
    CASH, CASH INVESTMENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
    The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments and certificates of
deposit with an original maturity of ninety days or less to be cash investments.
The Company classifies its investments in debt securities as "held-to-maturity".
Accordingly, these investments, which mature at various dates through August
1996, are valued using the amortized cost method. The fair value of the
investments approximates amortized cost, and as such, the gross unrealized
holding gains and losses at December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995 are not
material. Short-term investments consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1994          1995
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>
Commercial paper..........................................  $     10,795  $    --
Certificates of deposit...................................         6,031       --
Corporate debt securities.................................       --              8,774
European certificates of deposit..........................         4,004       --
U.S. Government notes.....................................       --              3,000
Other debt securities.....................................         1,035       --
                                                            ------------  ------------
    Total short-term investments..........................  $     21,865  $     11,774
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
    INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or
market. Cost includes labor, material and manufacturing overhead. Inventories
are composed of test equipment.
 
    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and
amortization are provided over the following estimated useful lives, by the
straight-line method.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
Buildings.................................................  31 years
Leasehold and building improvements.......................  Shorter of
                                                            the lease
                                                            term
                                                            or the
                                                            estimated
                                                            useful life
Equipment.................................................  3 - 6 years
Furniture and fixtures....................................  3 - 5 years
</TABLE>
 
    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The Company has an authorized stock repurchase program. In total, as of
December 30, 1995, the Company had authorized the repurchase of 51.1 million
shares of which approximately 40.2 million shares had been repurchased. The
Company repurchases common stock in part to satisfy estimated
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
requirements for shares to be issued under the Company's employee stock option
and stock purchase plans as well as in connection with acquisitions.
 
    Since 1994, as part of its authorized repurchase program, the Company sold
15.1 million put warrants through private placement. As of December 30, 1995,
11.2 million of these warrants had expired out of the money. The remaining
outstanding 3.9 million warrants entitle the holder to sell one share of common
stock to the Company on a specified date and at a specified price ranging from
$16.06 to $22.02 per share. Additionally, during this same period, the Company
purchased approximately 11.4 million call options that entitle the Company to
buy on a specified date one share of common stock at a specified price. As of
December 30, 1995, the Company had repurchased 8.4 million common shares
pursuant to the exercise of call options for $72.8 million. The remaining 3.0
million outstanding call options range in price from $16.11 to $22.25 per share.
 
    The Company has the right to settle the put warrants with stock, cash or a
combination of stock and cash equal to the difference between the exercise price
and the fair value at the date of exercise. Settlement of the put warrants with
stock could cause the Company to issue a substantial number of shares, depending
on the amounts of the repurchase obligations and the per share fair value of the
Company's common stock at the time of exercise. In addition, settlement of put
warrants in stock or cash could lead to the disposition by put warrant holders
of shares of the Company's common stock that such holders may have accumulated
in anticipation of the exercise of the put warrants or call options, which may
impact the price of the Company's common stock.
 
   
    At December 30, 1995, the fair value of these call options was approximately
$31.2 million and the fair value of the put warrants was approximately $0.9
million. The put warrants and call options outstanding at December 30, 1995 are
exercisable on various dates through April 1996. Fair value of put warrants and
call options was estimated by the Company's investment bankers.
    
 
    At December 30, 1995, the Company had both the unconditional right and the
intent to settle these put warrants with stock, and therefore, no amount was
classified out of stockholders' equity in the accompanying balance sheet. The
effect of the exercise of these put warrants and call options is reported in
stockholders' equity.
 
    The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts
("forward contracts") to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Due
to the short-term nature of these forward contracts, the unrealized gains and
losses were not material at December 30, 1995 and will be recorded when
realized. The estimated fair value for foreign exchange contracts is primarily
based on quoted market prices for the same or similar instruments, adjusted
where necessary for maturity differences. The estimated fair value at December
31, 1994 and December 30, 1995 was negligible. The notional amount of the
forward contracts was approximately $30.0 million at December 30, 1995. These
contracts expired on January 31, 1996.
 
    For certain of the Company's financial instruments, including cash and cash
investments, short-term investments and debt, the carrying amounts approximate
fair value due to their short-term nature.
 
    The estimated fair values discussed above may not be representative of
actual values that could have been realized as of year-end or that will be
realized in the future.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
    CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
    Financial instruments which may potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments,
short-term investments, accounts receivable, foreign exchange forward contracts,
and call options purchased in conjunction with its stock repurchase program. The
Company's investment policy limits investments to short-term, low-risk
instruments. Concentration of credit risk related to accounts receivable is
limited due to the varied customers comprising the Company's customer base and
their dispersion across geographies. Credit exposure related to the forward
contracts is limited to the unrealized gains and losses on these contracts.
Credit exposure on call options is limited to the unrealized gains and losses on
the option contracts. All financial instruments are executed with financial
institutions with strong credit ratings which minimizes risk of loss due to
nonpayment. The Company has not experienced any losses due to credit impairment
related to its financial instruments.
 
    NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD
 
    In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation" which will be effective for the
Company's 1996 fiscal year. SFAS No. 123 allows companies which have stock-based
compensation arrangements with employees to adopt a new fair-value basis of
accounting for stock options and other equity instruments, or to continue to
apply the existing accounting rules under Accounting Principles Board ("APB")
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" but with additional
financial statement disclosure. The Company plans to continue to account for
stock-based compensation arrangements under APB Opinion No. 25, and therefore
does not anticipate SFAS No. 123 will have a material impact on its financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
3. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1993          1994          1995
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>
Interest income...........................................  $      3,159  $      3,262  $      4,854
Interest expense..........................................          (723)       (1,045)       (2,222)
Gain on sale of IMS stock.................................       --            --             18,873
Gain on sale of investment................................       --              4,196       --
Loss on disposal of division (see Unusual Items)..........        (5,972)      --            --
Minority interest income (expense)........................           134          (485)       (1,341)
Loss on foreign exchange..................................          (281)         (204)         (117)
Other expense, net........................................          (681)         (908)       (2,810)
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
    Total other income (expense)..........................  $     (4,364) $      4,816  $     17,237
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
4. BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER
                                                                1994          1995        28, 1996
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>
Inventories
  Raw materials and supplies..............................  $     1,268   $     2,335   $     3,963
  Work-in-process.........................................        2,250         3,825         2,514
  Finished goods..........................................        1,619         2,043         1,353
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
    Total inventories.....................................  $     5,137   $     8,203   $     7,830
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
Property, Plant and Equipment
  Land....................................................  $    38,848   $    38,848
  Buildings...............................................       38,612        38,612
  Leasehold and building improvements.....................       22,442        23,349
  Equipment...............................................      101,087       108,911
  Furniture and fixtures..................................       19,762        19,834
                                                            ------------  ------------
    Total cost............................................      220,751       229,554
  Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization.........       98,687       105,451
                                                            ------------  ------------
    Property, plant and equipment, net....................  $   122,064   $   124,103
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------  ------------
Software Development Costs
  Cost....................................................  $    57,921   $    47,944
  Less: Accumulated amortization..........................       30,089        22,151
                                                            ------------  ------------
    Software development costs, net.......................  $    27,832   $    25,793
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------  ------------
Purchased Software and Intangibles
  Cost....................................................  $    28,242   $    23,086
  Less: Accumulated amortization..........................       17,685        14,818
                                                            ------------  ------------
    Purchased software and intangibles, net...............  $    10,557   $     8,268
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------  ------------
Accrued Liabilities
  Payroll and payroll related accruals....................  $    35,452   $    48,668
  Other accrued liabilities...............................       20,907        25,739
                                                            ------------  ------------
    Total accrued liabilities.............................  $    56,359   $    74,407
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
5. INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
 
   
    In July 1995, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Integrated
Measurement Systems, Inc. ("IMS") sold to the public approximately 3.0 million
shares of common stock at $11 per share in a registered initial public offering.
Of these shares, approximately 0.4 million were sold by IMS and approximately
2.6 million were sold by the Company as the sole selling stockholder of IMS. The
sale generated net proceeds to the Company, after underwriting expenses,
discounts, commissions and other expenses, of approximately $26.6 million and a
pre-tax gain of approximately $18.9 million, which is reflected as other income
in the accompanying statement of income. The Company also recognized a $0.7
million unrealized gain, net of taxes, which was recorded in stockholders'
equity. IMS received net
    
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
proceeds of approximately $3.3 million. As a result of the offering and sale of
shares by the Company, the Company's ownership interest in IMS decreased to
approximately 55%. The minority interest liability of $10.6 million related to
IMS is recorded in minority interest liability in the accompanying December 30,
1995 balance sheet.
 
6. ACQUISITIONS
 
    REDWOOD DESIGN AUTOMATION
 
   
    In August 1994, the Company acquired the business and certain assets of
Redwood Design Automation, Inc. ("Redwood") for approximately 0.9 million shares
of the Company's common stock valued at $4.6 million. Prior to the acquisition
of Redwood, the Company advanced $1.8 million to Redwood which was not repaid.
Redwood was a development stage company formed to design, develop and market
software for use in electronic systems design. The acquisition was accounted for
as a purchase and accordingly, the results of Redwood from the date of
acquisition forward have been recorded in the Company's consolidated financial
statements. In connection with the acquisition, net intangibles of $6.8 million
were acquired, of which $4.7 million was reflected as a one-time charge to
operations for the write-off of in-process research and development that had not
reached technological feasibility and, in management's opinion, had no probable
alternative future use. This one-time charge was reflected in the Company's 1994
statement of income as an unusual item within operating expenses. The remaining
intangibles of $2.1 million are included in purchased software and intangibles
in the accompanying balance sheets and are being amortized over their useful
life of two years.
    
 
    In connection with the acquisition, net assets acquired were as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
Trade accounts receivable and other current assets........  $        562
Intangibles, including in-process research and
  development.............................................         6,756
Property, equipment and other long-term assets............           541
Current liabilities assumed...............................        (1,162)
Long-term liabilities assumed.............................          (292)
                                                            ------------
    Net assets acquired...................................  $      6,405
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The following unaudited pro forma information shows the results of
operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 as if the
Redwood acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each period presented and
at the purchase price established in August 1994. The results are not
necessarily indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition actually
been made at the beginning of each of the respective periods presented or of
future operations of the combined companies. The pro forma results for 1993
combine the Company's results for the twelve month period ended December 31,
1993 with Redwood's twelve month fiscal period from February 1, 1993 through
January 31, 1994. The pro forma results for 1994 combine the Company's results
for the twelve month period ended December 31, 1994 with the results of Redwood
for the period from January 1, 1994 through the
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
date of acquisition. The following unaudited pro forma results include the
straight-line amortization of intangibles over a period of two years.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1993          1994
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>
Revenue...................................................  $    368,935  $    429,658
Net income (loss).........................................  $    (19,051) $     33,531
Net income (loss) per share...............................  $      (0.19) $       0.34
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
  outstanding.............................................        97,828        99,471
</TABLE>
 
    REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIPS
 
    In March 1994, the Company acquired all third-party interests in two real
estate partnerships in which it was a 46.5% and 80% limited partner,
respectively, for approximately $8.7 million in cash and the assumption of a
secured construction loan of approximately $23.5 million. The Company leased
buildings from one of the limited partnerships, and the second limited
partnership owned unencumbered land adjacent to the leased property. The Company
repaid the secured construction loan in May 1994.
 
    In October 1994, the Company acquired all third-party interests in a third
real estate partnership in which it was a 49% limited partner for approximately
$5.9 million in cash. The partnership owns land and buildings which are leased
to the Company and were subject to a secured note in the amount of approximately
$23.7 million which the Company repaid in October 1995.
 
    In connection with the acquisition of the partnerships, net assets acquired
were as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
Property and other assets.................................  $     66,030
Liabilities assumed.......................................       (47,423)
Less: Cash acquired.......................................        (3,983)
                                                            ------------
    Net cash paid.........................................  $     14,624
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
</TABLE>
 
    COMDISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
 
    In June 1993, the Company acquired the business and certain assets of
Comdisco Systems, Inc. ("Comdisco"), a subsidiary of Comdisco, Inc., in exchange
for approximately 2.4 million shares of the Company's common stock and a warrant
to purchase approximately 2.9 million shares of the Company's common stock
valued in total at $10.9 million. The acquisition was accounted for as a
purchase. Accordingly, the results of Comdisco from the date of acquisition
forward have been recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Comparative pro forma information has not been presented as the results of
operations of Comdisco are not material to the Company's consolidated financial
statements. The acquisition costs include amounts paid for the net tangible
assets of Comdisco and purchased software and other intangibles. The cost in
excess of net assets acquired was $6.5 million which is being amortized over
seven years and is included in purchased software and intangibles in the
accompanying balance sheets.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
    In connection with the acquisition, net assets acquired were as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
Trade accounts receivable and other current assets........  $      4,381
Purchased software and other intangibles..................         6,500
Property, equipment and other long-term assets............         1,909
Liabilities assumed.......................................        (1,887)
                                                            ------------
    Net assets acquired in exchange for capital stock.....  $     10,903
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
</TABLE>
 
7. UNUSUAL ITEMS
 
    Unusual items included within operating expenses are described below. No
unusual items were recorded during 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1991          1992          1993          1994
                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Write-off of in-process research and development..........  $    --       $    --       $    --       $      4,653
Provision for settlement of litigation....................       --            --            --             10,054
Loss (income) from operations of disposed division........         5,335          (253)        6,200       --
Restructuring costs.......................................        49,901       --             13,450       --
                                                            ------------        ------  ------------  ------------
    Total unusual items...................................  $     55,236  $       (253) $     19,650  $     14,707
                                                            ------------        ------  ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------        ------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
    PROVISION FOR SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION
 
    In April 1994, the Company entered into agreements to settle two class
action lawsuits for a combined settlement of $16.5 million, of which
approximately $7.5 million was covered by the Company's insurance carriers.
Reflected in the Company's operating expenses is the net settlement cost of
approximately $9.0 million plus approximately $1.0 million for related legal
costs.
 
    LOSS (INCOME) FROM OPERATIONS OF DISPOSED DIVISION
 
    In December 1993, the Company sold its Automated Systems ("ASI") division.
ASI was sold for a nominal amount of cash and future royalties. During 1994, ASI
filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and in 1995, the royalty terms were
renegotiated. However, it is unknown if the Company will ultimately receive any
such royalties.
 
    In light of the nominal proceeds received, the sale of ASI resulted in a
loss on disposal of approximately $6.0 million. The loss was due principally to
the loss on the sale of the net operating assets, as well as amounts accrued for
estimated costs to be incurred in connection with the disposal. As of December
31, 1994 and December 30, 1995, respectively, the Company had recorded
approximately $.9 million and $.9 million in accrued liabilities and
approximately $1.1 million and $1.0 million in other long-term liabilities for
liabilities associated with the disposed division.
 
    The Company had previously reported the operating results of ASI as a
discontinued operation in the statement of income. In connection with the filing
of a registration statement on Form S-3 to register common stock issued to the
stockholders of Comdisco and Redwood, the Securities and Exchange Commission
reviewed the Company's 1993 financial statements and requested that the results
of
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
operations and the loss on disposal of ASI be reclassified as components of
continuing operations since ASI was not deemed a major line of business. As a
result, the Company has classified the respective income and loss from
operations of the disposed division as unusual items within operations in the
accompanying statements of income. The loss of $6.0 million on disposal of the
division is classified in other income (expense) in the accompanying 1993
statement of income. Revenue from this division was approximately $11.2 million
for the year ending December 31, 1993.
 
    RESTRUCTURING COSTS
 
   
    In March 1993, the Company recorded restructuring costs of approximately
$13.5 million associated with a planned restructure of certain areas of sales,
operations and administration due to business conditions. The restructuring
charge included approximately $4.5 million for employee terminations. The
Company terminated approximately 270 employees at an actual total cost of
approximately $4.6 million. In addition, the restructuring charge included
approximately $3.5 million for excess facilities and approximately $2.1 million
for the write-off of purchased software and intangibles arising from required
adjustments to the Company's cost structure necessitated by lower revenue
levels. Substantially all of the excess facilities accrual was utilized by
December 31, 1993. The restructuring charge also included an additional
provision for doubtful accounts of approximately $3.0 million, which was
utilized by December 31, 1993 and write-off of certain software development
costs of $0.4 million resulting from changes in the systems product strategy.
    
 
8. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
    Notes payable and long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1994          1995
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>
Capital lease obligations.................................  $      4,840  $      3,116
Secured mortgage (Paid in full in October 1995)...........        23,670       --
                                                            ------------  ------------
    Total.................................................        28,510         3,116
Less: Current portion.....................................        26,412         1,497
                                                            ------------  ------------
Long-term debt............................................  $      2,098  $      1,619
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                            ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
9. LEASES
 
    Equipment and facilities are leased under various capital and operating
leases expiring on different dates through the year 2008. Certain of these
leases contain renewal options. Rental expense was approximately $20.0 million,
$19.0 million and $10.7 million for 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
    In connection with a previous merger, the Company has closed certain
facilities and, accordingly, has accrued for estimated future minimum rent and
maintenance costs related to these facilities. Total costs accrued at December
30, 1995 were $7.9 million of which $2.4 million was included in accrued
liabilities and approximately $5.5 million was included in other long-term
liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
    At December 30, 1995, future minimum lease payments under capital and
operating leases and the present value of the capital lease payments were as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CAPITAL      OPERATING
                                                               LEASES        LEASES
                                                            ------------  ------------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>
For the years:
  1996....................................................  $      1,802  $    13,235
  1997....................................................         1,040       12,758
  1998....................................................           476        7,634
  1999....................................................           298        3,982
  2000....................................................           192        2,980
  Thereafter..............................................       --             4,026
                                                            ------------  ------------
    Total lease payments..................................         3,808  $    44,615
                                                                          ------------
                                                                          ------------
Less: Amount representing interest (Average rate of 8.7%)            692
                                                            ------------
Present value of lease payments...........................         3,116
Less: Current portion.....................................         1,497
                                                            ------------
Long-term portion.........................................  $      1,619
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The cost of equipment under capital leases included in the balance sheet as
property, plant and equipment at December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995 was
approximately $17.9 million and $12.6 million, respectively. Accumulated
amortization of the leased equipment at December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995
was approximately $13.9 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
 
10. LINE OF CREDIT
 
    The Company's majority-owned subsidiary, IMS, has a revolving line of credit
with a bank allowing for maximum borrowings of $10.0 million with interest at
the bank's prime rate, interbank offering rates plus 1.25%, or banker's
acceptance plus 1.25%, at the borrower's option. There were no outstanding
borrowings at December 30, 1995 under this agreement. At December 30, 1995, IMS
was in full compliance with all covenants and conditions in the agreement. The
line of credit expires April 30, 1997.
 
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    As part of its overall investment strategy, the Company has committed to
participating in a venture capital partnership as a limited partner. The
Company's total committed investment of at least $25 million will be made over
the next three to four years.
 
    The Company is involved in various disputes and litigation matters which
have arisen in the ordinary course of business. These include disputes and
lawsuits related to intellectual property, contract law and employee relations
matters.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
    The Company filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the
Northern District of California on December 6, 1995 against Avant! Corporation
(formerly known as ArcSys, Inc., "Avant!") and certain of its employees for
misappropriation of trade secrets, copyright infringement, conspiracy and other
illegalities.
 
    On January 16, 1996, Avant! filed various counterclaims against the Company
and the Company's President and CEO, alleging, INTER ALIA, that the Company and
its President and CEO had cooperated with the Santa Clara County District
Attorney and initiated and pursued its complaint against Avant! for anti
competitive reasons, engaged in wrongful activity in an attempt to manipulate
Avant!'s stock price and utilized certain pricing policies and other acts to
unfairly compete against Avant! in the marketplace. The counterclaim also
alleges that certain unspecified Company insiders engaged in illegal insider
trading with respect to Avant!'s stock. The Company and its President and CEO
believe that each has meritorious defenses to Avant!'s claims, and each intends
to defend such action vigorously.
 
    Management believes that the ultimate resolution of the disputes and
litigation matters discussed above will not have a material adverse impact on
the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
12. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
    STOCK SPLIT
 
    In October 1995, the Company's Board of Directors effected a three-for-two
stock split payable in the form of a dividend of one additional share of the
Company's common stock for every two shares owned by stockholders. Par value
remained at $0.01 per share. The stock split resulted in the issuance of
approximately 37.8 million additional shares of common stock from authorized but
unissued shares. Accordingly, all share and per share data have been adjusted to
retroactively reflect the stock split.
 
    EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLANS
 
    The Company's Employee Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") provides for the
issuance of either incentive or nonqualified options at an exercise price not
less than fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. Options granted
under the Plan become exercisable over periods of one to four years and expire
five to ten years from the date of grant. During 1993 holders of the Company's
options were given the opportunity to exchange previously granted stock options
for new common stock options exercisable at $3.91 per share, the fair market
value of the common stock on the date of exchange. Under the terms of the new
options, one-third of the shares vest one year from the date of grant and the
remaining shares vest in 24 equal monthly installments. Options to purchase
10,926,058 shares were exchanged.
 
    During 1993, the Company adopted a Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the
"Non-Statutory Plan"). Options granted under the Non-Statutory Plan become
exercisable over a four year period, with one-fourth of the shares vesting one
year from the vesting commencement date and the remaining shares vesting in 36
equal monthly installments. The options granted under the Non-Statutory Plan
generally expire ten years from the date of grant.
 
    In 1995, the Company's Board of Directors' authorized an additional 6.75
million shares to be issued under the 1993 Non-Statutory Plan. Since directors
and officers of the Company are not eligible to receive options under the
Non-Statutory Plan, stockholder approval is not required nor will it be sought.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
    The Company has assumed certain options granted to former employees of
acquired companies ("Acquired Options"). The Acquired Options were assumed by
the Company outside of the Plan, but all are administered as if assumed under
the Plan. All of the Acquired Options have been adjusted to effectuate the
conversion under the terms of the Agreements and Plans of Reorganization between
the Company and the companies acquired. The Acquired Options generally become
exercisable over a four year period and generally expire either five or ten
years from the date of grant. No additional options will be granted under any of
the acquired companies' plans.
 
    Combined activity with respect to all employee stock option plans was as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1993               1994               1995
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
<S>                                                        <C>                <C>                <C>
Options outstanding at beginning of the year.............         17,628,640         24,444,724         22,254,786
Granted..................................................         21,276,363          4,514,715          6,247,455
Exercised ($0.19 per share to $11.69 per share)..........         (1,237,616)        (3,430,002)        (6,575,700)
Canceled.................................................        (13,222,663)        (3,274,651)        (1,986,201)
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
Options outstanding at end of the year...................         24,444,724         22,254,786         19,940,340
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
Range of exercise price of outstanding options at end of
  the year...............................................  $   0.19 - $12.78  $   0.19 - $12.19  $   0.19 - $25.96
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
Options exercisable at end of the year...................          5,504,404         10,021,036          8,792,750
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
Options available for future grant.......................          5,747,938          4,541,828          6,997,861
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
                                                           -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
</TABLE>
 
    OPTION AGREEMENTS
 
    The Company occasionally has issued options outside of the Plan. As of
December 30, 1995, options to purchase 90,705 shares were outstanding under
these agreements, of which 77,461 were exercisable at prices ranging from $4.14
to $5.22 per share.
 
    DIRECTORS STOCK PLANS
 
    The Company's Board of Directors has adopted the 1988, 1993 and 1995
Directors Stock Option Plans (the "Directors Plans") in the indicated years. The
1995 Directors Plan is subject to stockholder approval, which will be sought at
the 1996 stockholders' meeting. The Company has reserved 1,676,250 shares of
common stock for issuance under these plans. The Directors Plans provide for the
issuance of nonqualified stock options to nonemployee directors of the Company
with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the
date of grant. Options granted under the Directors Plans have a term of up to
ten years. Certain of the option grants vest one year from the date of grant and
certain other option grants vest one-third one year from the date of grant and
two-thirds ratably over the subsequent two years. As of December 30, 1995,
options to purchase 543,750 shares of common stock at $4.14 to $24.29 per share
were outstanding under the Directors Plans, of which options for 249,828 shares
were exercisable at prices ranging from $4.14 to $9.61 per share. Options to
purchase 568,335 shares are available for future grant under the Directors
Plans. Options to purchase 350,415 shares of common stock have been exercised
and 213,750 have expired as of December 30, 1995 under the Directors Plans. No
additional options will be granted under the 1988 Directors Plan.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
    EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLANS
 
    The Company has reserved 6,750,000 shares of common stock for issuance under
the 1990 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). Under the ESPP the Company's
employees may purchase shares of common stock at a price per share that is 85%
of the lesser of the fair market value as of the beginning or the end of the
semiannual option periods. For 1993, 1994 and 1995, shares issued under the plan
were 1,097,868, 1,444,473 and 994,728, respectively.
 
    WARRANT
 
    In connection with the purchase of the business and certain assets of
Comdisco, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 2,925,000 shares of the
Company's common stock at $6.45 per share. During 1995, the Company repurchased
portions of the warrant applicable to 2,655,000 shares for approximately $17.2
million. The warrant for the remaining 270,000 shares expires in June 2003 and
can be exercised at any time in increments of not less than 75,000 shares. The
warrant was valued at the time of issuance at approximately $1.8 million and was
included as part of the total purchase price of Comdisco.
 
    RESERVED FOR FUTURE ISSUANCE
 
    As of December 30, 1995, the Company has reserved the following shares of
authorized but unissued common stock for future issuance:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
Employee stock option plans....................................................  26,938,201
Other option agreements........................................................      90,705
Directors stock option plans...................................................   1,112,085
Employee stock purchase plan...................................................   1,950,343
Put warrants...................................................................   3,912,189
Comdisco warrant...............................................................     270,000
                                                                                 ----------
        Total..................................................................  34,273,523
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
</TABLE>
 
    STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
   
    On February 9, 1996, the Company adopted a new Stockholder Rights Plan (the
"Preferred Rights Plan") to protect stockholders' rights in the event of a
proposed or actual acquisition of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of the
Company's common stock. As part of this plan, each share of the Company's common
stock carries a right to purchase one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Right"), par value $0.01 per
share of the Company at a price of $240 per one one-thousandth of a share
subject to adjustment. The Rights are subject to redemption at the option of the
Board of Directors at a price of $0.01 per Right until the occurrence of certain
events. The Rights expire on February 20, 2006.
    
 
    Concurrent with the adoption of the Preferred Rights Plan, the Board of
Directors amended the Company's 1989 Stockholder Rights Plan to provide for the
expiration of the rights thereunder effective February 9, 1996.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
13. INCOME TAXES
 
    The provision for income taxes consisted of the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1993       1994       1995
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Current
  Federal......................................................................  $     730  $   4,624  $  11,954
  State........................................................................        180        881      4,095
  Foreign......................................................................      8,939      8,815     16,085
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Total current..................................................................      9,849     14,320     32,134
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Deferred (prepaid)
  Federal......................................................................     (1,749)    (1,103)     4,989
  State........................................................................     (1,220)      (384)       201
  Foreign......................................................................     (6,880)      (618)       503
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Total deferred (prepaid).......................................................     (9,849)    (2,105)     5,693
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total provision for income taxes.........................................  $  --      $  12,215  $  37,827
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Income (loss) before income taxes for 1993, 1994 and 1995 included income of
approximately $9.2 million, $19.2 million and $34.2 million, respectively, from
the Company's foreign subsidiaries.
 
    The provision for income taxes is net of the benefit of operating loss
carryforwards totaling $2.8 million, $20.8 million and $9.7 million, for 1993,
1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
    The provision for income taxes differs from the amount estimated by applying
the statutory federal income tax rate to income (loss) before income taxes as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1993         1994          1995
                                                                           ----------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                        <C>         <C>           <C>
Provision (benefit) computed at federal statutory rate...................  $   (4,473) $     17,074  $     47,284
State income tax, net of federal tax effect..............................         117           572         2,662
Change in valuation allowance............................................       7,172       (10,457)      (19,999)
Research and development tax credit......................................      (1,270)         (379)         (494)
Foreign income tax at a higher rate......................................      --           --              2,129
Foreign tax credit.......................................................      (6,958)         (446)         (769)
Foreign withholding taxes................................................       6,958         3,446         3,414
Amortization of goodwill.................................................         372         2,398           390
Other....................................................................      (1,918)            7         3,210
                                                                           ----------  ------------  ------------
Provision for income taxes...............................................  $   --      $     12,215  $     37,827
                                                                           ----------  ------------  ------------
                                                                           ----------  ------------  ------------
Effective tax rate.......................................................      --                25%           28%
                                                                           ----------  ------------  ------------
                                                                           ----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
    The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              1994        1995
                                                                                           ----------  ----------
                                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                        <C>         <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Merger reserves........................................................................  $    3,829  $    3,394
  Net operating losses...................................................................      19,146       6,202
  Tax credits............................................................................      33,910      32,845
  Other..................................................................................      14,650      20,125
                                                                                           ----------  ----------
Total deferred tax assets................................................................      71,535      62,566
  Valuation allowance-provision for income taxes.........................................     (33,548)    (13,549)
  Valuation allowance-equity and intangibles.............................................     (19,713)    (34,223)
                                                                                           ----------  ----------
Net assets...............................................................................      18,274      14,794
                                                                                           ----------  ----------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Capitalized software...................................................................     (11,233)    (10,091)
  Other..................................................................................      (3,970)     (7,273)
                                                                                           ----------  ----------
Total deferred tax liabilities...........................................................     (15,203)    (17,364)
                                                                                           ----------  ----------
Total net deferred tax (liabilities) assets..............................................  $    3,071  $   (2,570)
                                                                                           ----------  ----------
                                                                                           ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company has recorded deferred tax assets of $62.6 million offset by a
valuation allowance of $47.8 million. Certain of these deferred tax assets will
affect equity and intangibles and will not be available to offset future
provisions for income taxes and are identified in the above table as "valuation
allowance-equity and intangibles". Realization of the net deferred tax assets of
$14.8 million is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to the
expiration of the loss and tax credit carryforwards. Although realization is not
assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred
tax assets of $14.8 million will be realized. The amount of the net deferred tax
assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced or increased in the near
term if actual facts, including the estimate of future taxable income, differ
from those estimated.
 
    The net valuation allowance decreased by $5.5 million in 1995. The increase
in valuation allowance-equity and intangibles of $14.5 million is due to an
increase in the tax benefits related to stock option exercises which are
required to be credited to equity in future periods. This increase in the
valuation allowance-equity and intangibles was offset by a decrease in the
valuation allowance-provision for income taxes of $20.0 million due to the
realization of net operating losses and tax credits generated in prior years.
 
    The remaining net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various dates
from 1997 through 2008 and tax credit carryforwards will expire at various dates
from 1996 through 2010.
 
    The Company's federal income tax returns for 1989 through 1991 have been
examined by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). Tax credits of $15.6 million
have been disallowed by the IRS. The Company is contesting these adjustments and
is pursuing administrative remedies. Management believes that adequate provision
has been made for any deficiency that may result from this examination
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
and that the resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse impact
on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
14. OPERATIONS BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA
 
    The Company operates primarily in one industry segment; the development and
marketing of computer-aided design software and related services. The Company's
products have been marketed internationally through distributors and through the
Company's subsidiaries in Europe and Asia/Pacific. Intercompany revenue results
from licenses that are based on a percentage of the subsidiaries' revenue from
unaffiliated customers. The following table presents a summary of operations by
geographic area.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1993          1994          1995
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenue
  Domestic operations(1)................................................  $    298,366  $    344,696  $    440,618
  European operations...................................................        73,181        79,404        97,596
  Asia/Pacific operations...............................................        69,320        86,022       107,556
  Eliminations..........................................................       (72,244)      (81,050)      (97,352)
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Consolidated............................................................  $    368,623  $    429,072  $    548,418
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Intercompany revenue (eliminated in consolidation)
  Domestic operations...................................................  $     54,224  $     58,837  $     58,719
  European operations...................................................         9,494         9,495        15,893
  Asia/Pacific operations...............................................         8,526        12,718        22,740
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Consolidated............................................................  $     72,244  $     81,050  $     97,352
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Income (loss) from operations
  Domestic operations...................................................  $    (15,124) $     25,763  $     85,308
  European operations...................................................         4,107         7,412         9,705
  Asia/Pacific operations...............................................         2,602        10,872        22,847
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Consolidated............................................................  $     (8,415) $     44,047  $    117,860
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Identifiable assets
  Domestic operations...................................................  $    339,897  $    368,226  $    396,676
  European operations...................................................        50,186        56,343        50,303
  Asia/Pacific operations...............................................        52,401        42,095        63,680
  Eliminations..........................................................      (103,183)     (105,616)     (136,624)
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Consolidated............................................................  $    339,301  $    361,048  $    374,035
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Domestic operations revenue includes export revenue of approximately $10.1
    million, $12.9 million and $14.7 million to Europe for 1993, 1994 and 1995,
    respectively, and approximately $49.0 million, $65.4 million and $90.6
    million to Asia/Pacific for 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
    STOCK SPLIT
 
    In May 1996, the Company's Board of Directors effected a three-for-two stock
split payable in the form of a dividend of one additional share of the Company's
common stock for every two shares owned by stockholders. Par value remained at
$0.01 per share. Accordingly, all share and per share data have been adjusted to
retroactively reflect the stock split.
 
    NOTE PAYABLE
 
   
    In May 1996, the Company's wholly owned real estate partnership, River Oaks
Place Associates L.P. (the Partnership), entered into a $20 million long-term
financing arrangement (the "ROPA Loan") with a bank. The financing agreement
expires on December 31, 2005, and requires quarterly principal payments
beginning on September 30, 1996 in amounts ranging from $0.4 million to $0.7
million. The Partnership has the option to pay interest at the London Interbank
Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.5% or the higher of the bank's prime rate plus 0.5%
or the Federal Funds rate plus 1.5%. The ROPA Loan is secured by the real and
personal properties of the Partnership. In connection with the ROPA Loan
agreement, the Company extended its lease agreements with the Partnership until
December 31, 2005 and minimum lease payments under the agreements have been
assigned as security under the ROPA Loan agreement.
    
 
    LINE OF CREDIT
 
    In April 1996, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit
facility (the "Facility") which allows the Company to borrow up to $120.0
million through April 1999. The security for the Facility includes the majority
of the Company's property, plant and equipment, cash, investments, intangibles,
and certain other assets. The Company has the option to pay interest based upon
LIBOR plus 1.5%, or the higher of the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% or
prime. The Company must comply with certain financial covenants and conditions
as defined in the Facility with which the Company was in compliance at September
28, 1996. As of September 28, 1996, the Company had no outstanding borrowings
under the Facility.
 
    LITIGATION
 
    On April 12, 1996, Avant! filed a First Amended Counterclaim against the
Company. The amended counterclaim alleges, INTER ALIA, that the Company and its
President and CEO had cooperated with the Santa Clara County District Attorney
and initiated and pursued its complaint against Avant! for anticompetitive
reasons, engaged in wrongful activity in an attempt to manipulate Avant!'s stock
price and utilized certain pricing policies and other acts to unfairly compete
against Avant! in the marketplace. The amended counterclaim also alleges that
certain Company insiders engaged in illegal insider trading with respect to
Avant!'s stock. The Company and its President and CEO continue to believe that
each has meritorious defenses to Avant!'s amended counterclaims, and each
intends to defend such action vigorously. By an order dated July 13, 1996, the
court bifurcated Avant!'s counterclaim from the Company's complaint.
 
    On April 19, 1996, the Company filed a motion seeking a preliminary
injuction to prevent Avant! from continuing to market ArcCell and ArcCell XO,
two software lines which the Company alleges were
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
       (INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
misappropriated. A hearing on the motion was held on September 10, 1996. The
court has not yet issued a ruling.
 
    ACQUISITIONS
 
   
    In October 1996, the Company announced a definitive agreement to merge with
High Level Design Systems, Inc. ("HLDS") which will entail a tax-free,
stock-for-stock exchange at a fixed ratio of 0.22 shares of Cadence common stock
for each share of HLDS stock. As consideration for the merger, the Company
expects to issue approximately 2.6 million shares of its common stock and will
assume all of HLDS's outstanding stock options. The total purchase price,
including acquisition costs, is approximately $99.5 million. The Company intends
to account for the merger as a purchase. The Company estimates, based on an
outside appraisal, that approximately $91.7 million of the purchase price will
be allocated to in process research and development. Because there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to successfully complete the development
and integration of the HLDS products or that the acquired technology has any
alternative future use, the acquired in process product development will be
charged to expense by the Company in the period in which the acquisition is
consummated. The merger has been approved by the boards of directors of both
companies and is subject to regulatory and HLDS shareholder approval.
    
 
   
    Also in October 1996, the Company announced a definitive agreement to merge
with Cooper & Chyan Technology, Inc. ("CCT"), which will entail a tax-free,
stock-for-stock exchange at a fixed ratio of 0.85 shares of Cadence common stock
for each share of CCT stock. Based on CCT's 12.9 million shares outstanding on
September 30, 1996, Cadence will issue approximately 11.0 million shares in the
merger. In addition, the Company will assume all outstanding stock options of
CCT based upon the exchange ratio of 0.85. The merger has been approved by the
boards of directors of both companies and is subject to regulatory and CCT
shareholder approval. The merger is expected to be accounted for as a pooling of
interests.
    
 
    In connection with and prior to the consummation of the CCT merger, the
Company will rescind its stock repurchase program, with the exception of
continued systematic stock repurchases under its seasoned stock repurchase
program for the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). Such
repurchases are intended to cover the Company's expected reissuances under the
ESPP for the next 12 months. In addition, as a condition to closing the CCT
merger, the Company will effect a secondary offering of common stock in the open
market to cure tainted shares from stock repurchases made for purposes other
than the ESPP.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO
WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH
SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                              -------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Available Information.....................................................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference...........................     2
Prospectus Summary........................................................     4
Risk Factors..............................................................     8
Recent Developments.......................................................    15
Use of Proceeds...........................................................    17
Dividend Policy...........................................................    17
Price Range of Common Stock...............................................    18
Capitalization............................................................    19
Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information...................    20
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations..............................................................    22
Business..................................................................    26
Management................................................................    31
Underwriting..............................................................    34
Legal Matters.............................................................    35
Experts...................................................................    35
</TABLE>
 
                                5,000,000 SHARES
 
                                 CADENCE DESIGN
                                 SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                           (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
                              -------------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
                              -------------------
 
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
 
                              MORGANSTANLEY & CO.
      INCORPORATED
 
                      REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
    The following table sets forth the expenses payable by the Company in
connection with the sale, issuance and distribution of the securities being
registered. All amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
SEC Registration Fee.............................................  $  59,679
NYSE Listing Fee.................................................     47,800
NASD Fee.........................................................     30,500
Printing and Engraving Expenses..................................     50,000
Legal Fees and Expenses..........................................    150,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses.....................................    200,000
Blue Sky Expenses................................................      1,000
Miscellaneous....................................................     61,021
                                                                   ---------
    Total........................................................  $ 600,000
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    As permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that eliminates
the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages for breach or
alleged breach of their duty of care. The Registrant also maintains a limited
amount of director and officer insurance. In addition, as permitted by Section
145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Bylaws of the Registrant
provide that: (i) the Registrant is required to indemnify its directors,
officers and employees, and persons serving in such capacities in other business
enterprises (including, for example, subsidiaries of the Registrant) at the
Registrant's request, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including
those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary;
(ii) the Registrant is required to advance expenses, as incurred, to such
directors, officers and employees in connection with defending a proceeding
(except that it is not required to advance expenses to a person against whom the
Registrant brings a claim for breach of the duty of loyalty, failure to act in
good faith, intentional misconduct, knowing violation of law or deriving an
improper personal benefit); (iii) the rights conferred in the Bylaws are not
exclusive and the Registrant is authorized to enter into indemnification
agreements with such directors, officers and employees; (iv) the Registration is
required to maintain director and officer liability insurance to the extent
reasonably available; and (v) the Registrant may not retroactively amend the
Bylaw provision in a way that is adverse to such directors, officers and
employees.
 
    The Registrant's policy is to enter into indemnity agreements with each of
its executive officers and directors that provide the maximum indemnity allowed
to officers and directors by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
and the Bylaws, as well as certain additional procedural protections. In
addition, the indemnity agreements provide that officers and directors will be
indemnified to the fullest possible extent not prohibited by law against all
expenses (including attorney's fees) and settlement amounts paid or incurred by
them in any action or proceeding, including any derivative action by or in the
right of the Registrant, on account of their services as directors or officers
of the Registrant or as directors or officers of any other company or enterprise
when they are serving in such capacities at the request of the Registrant. No
indemnity will be provided, however, to any director or officer on account of
conduct that is adjudicated to be knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest
or willful misconduct. The indemnity agreements also provide that no
indemnification will be available if a final court adjudication determines that
such indemnification is not lawful, or in respect of any accounting of profits
made from the purchase or sale of securities of the Registrant in violation of
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
   
    The indemnification provision in the Bylaws, and the indemnity agreements
entered into between the Registrant and its officers or directors, may be
sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Registrant's officers and
directors for liability arising under the Securities Act.
    
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
    (A) EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                      EXHIBIT TITLE
- ----------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>         <S>
  1.1       Form of Underwriting Agreement
  2.1*      Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of October 3, 1996, among
              the Company, Harbor Acquisition Sub, Inc., and High Level Design Systems, Inc.
  2.2**     Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of October 28, 1996,
              among the Company, Wyoming Acquisition Sub, Inc., and Cooper & Chyan Technology,
              Inc.
  4.1***    Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Common Stock
  4.2****   Rights Agreement, dated as of February 9, 1996, between the Company and Harris
              Trust and Savings Bank
  5.1       Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP
 23.1       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
 23.2       Consent of Cooley Godward LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 24.1+      Power of Attorney (included on page II-4 of Registration Statement)
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
+   Previously filed.
    
 
   
*   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated
    November 7, 1996.
    
 
   
**  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Form 8-K dated
    November 7, 1996.
    
 
   
*** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Company's Form S-4
    Registration Statement filed in 1991.
    
 
   
****Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company's Current Report on
    Form 8-K dated February 9, 1996.
    
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
the registration statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
 
    (4) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (5) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
 
    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to provisions described in Item 15, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment to the
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on the 18th day
of November.
    
 
                                          Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
 
   
                                          By:      /s/ JOSEPH B. COSTELLO
    
                                             -----------------------------------
 
                                              Joseph B. Costello
 
                                              President and Chief Executive
                                              Officer
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                         TITLE                                DATE
- ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------  ------------------
 
<C>                                         <S>                                                 <C>
          /s/ JOSEPH B. COSTELLO
- ------------------------------------------  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director     November 18, 1996
            Joseph B. Costello                (Principal Executive Officer)
 
          /s/ H. RAYMOND BINGHAM
- ------------------------------------------  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial        November 18, 1996
            H. Raymond Bingham                Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
 
            /s/ WILLIAM PORTER
- ------------------------------------------  Vice President, Corporate Controller and Assistant  November 18, 1996
              William Porter                  Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
             /s/ CAROL BARTZ*
- ------------------------------------------  Director                                            November 18, 1996
               Carol Bartz
 
- ------------------------------------------  Director
            Henry E. Johnston
 
        /s/ DR. LEONARD Y.W. LIU*
- ------------------------------------------  Director                                            November 18, 1996
          Dr. Leonard Y. W. Liu
 
           /s/ DONALD L. LUCAS*
- ------------------------------------------  Director                                            November 18, 1996
             Donald L. Lucas
 
             /s/ DR. ALBERTO
         SANGIOVANNI-VINCENTELLI*
- ------------------------------------------  Director                                            November 18, 1996
   Dr. Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                         TITLE                                DATE
- ------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------  ------------------
 
<C>                                         <S>                                                 <C>
          /s/ GEORGE M. SCALISE*
- ------------------------------------------  Director                                            November 18, 1996
            George M. Scalise
 
         /s/ DR. JOHN B. SHOVEN*
- ------------------------------------------  Director                                            November 18, 1996
            Dr. John B. Shoven
 
          /s/ JAMES E. SOLOMON*
- ------------------------------------------  Director                                            November 18, 1996
             James E. Solomon
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*By        /s/ R.L. SMITH
              MCKEITHEN
      -------------------------
          ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                  EXHIBIT TITLE                                    PAGE
- ----------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<C>         <S>                                                                         <C>
  1.1       Form of Underwriting Agreement............................................
  2.1*      Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of October 3,
              1996, among the Company, Harbor Acquisition Sub, Inc., and High Level
              Design Systems, Inc.
  2.2**     Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of October 28,
              1996, among the Company, Wyoming Acquisition Sub, Inc., and Cooper &
              Chyan Technology, Inc.
  4.1***    Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Common Stock................
  4.2****   Rights Agreement, dated as of February 9, 1996, between the Company and
              Harris Trust and Savings Bank...........................................
  5.1       Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP.............................................
 23.1       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP............................................
 23.2       Consent of Cooley Godward LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)...................
 24.1+      Power of Attorney (included on page II-4 of Registration Statement).......
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
+   Previously filed.
    
 
   
*   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated
    November 7, 1996.
    
 
   
**  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Form 8-K dated
    November 7, 1996.
    
 
   
*** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Company's Form S-4
    Registration Statement filed in 1991.
    
 
   
****Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company's Current Report on
    Form 8-K dated February 9, 1996.
    
 
                                      II-6

<PAGE>


                            CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

                                    COMMON STOCK
                              (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)

                                    _______________

                           FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                             November __, 1996


Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
  As representatives of the several Underwriters
    named in Schedule I hereto
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10004.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), 
proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and 
sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") an 
aggregate of 5,000,000 shares (the "Firm Shares") and, at the election of the 
Underwriters, up to 750,000 additional shares (the "Optional Shares") of 
Common Stock, $.01 par value per Share ("Stock"), of the Company (the Firm 
Shares and the Optional Shares that the Underwriters elect to purchase 
pursuant to Section 2 hereof being collectively called the "Shares").

     1. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the 
Underwriters that:

<PAGE>

      (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-_________) the 
   "Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Shares has been filed 
   with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); and any 
   post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to 
   you, and, excluding exhibits thereto but including all documents incorporated
   by reference in the prospectus contained therein, to you for each of the 
   other Underwriters, have been declared effective by the Commission in such 
   form; other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the
   offering (a "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement"), filed pursuant to Rule 
   462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which became
   effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Initial 
   Registration Statement or document incorporated by reference therein has 
   heretofore been filed with the Commission; and no stop order suspending the 
   effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective 
   amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been
   issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by
   the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial 
   Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) 
   of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act, is hereinafter
   called a "Preliminary Prospectus"); the various parts of the Initial 
   Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, 
   including all exhibits thereto and including (i) the information contained in
   the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 
   424(b) under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof and deemed by 
   virtue of Rule 430A under the Act to be part of the Initial Registration 
   Statement at the time it was declared effective and (ii) the documents 
   incorporated by reference in the prospectus contained in the registration 
   statement at the time such part of the registration statement became 
   effective, or such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, 
   became or hereafter becomes effective, each as amended at the time such part 
   of the registration statement became effective, is hereinafter collectively 
   called the "Registration Statement"; such final prospectus, in the form first
   filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, is hereinafter called the 
   "Prospectus"; any reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the 
   Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated
   by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Act, as of the
   date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; and 
   any reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or
   the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed 
   after the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may
   be, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange 
   Act"), and incorporated by reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or 
   Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference to any amendment to the 
   Registration Statement shall be deemed to refer to and include any annual 
   report of the Company filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 
   Exchange Act after the effective date of the Initial Registration Statement
   that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement;

      (b) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary 
   Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary 
   Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material respects
   to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the 
   Commission thereunder, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material 
   fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or 
   necessary to

<PAGE>

   make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances 
   under which they were made, not misleading; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this 
   representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions 
   made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing
   to the Company by an Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for 
   use therein;

      (c) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when 
   they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, 
   conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the 
   Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission 
   thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a 
   material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated 
   therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any 
   further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or
   any further amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents become 
   effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform 
   in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, 
   as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and
   will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 
   material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
   statements therein not misleading;

      (d) The Registration Statement conforms, and the Prospectus and any 
   further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the 
   Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the 
   Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and
   will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration 
   Statement and any amendment thereto, and as of the applicable filing date as 
   to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue 
   statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be 
   stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; 
   PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to 
   any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with 
   information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter through 
   Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein;

      (e) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained since 
   the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated 
   by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or interference with its 
   business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not 
   covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental 
   action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the 
   Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given 
   in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any 
   change in the capital stock (other than as a result of the exercise of stock 
   options per issuance of Shares pursuant to the Company's stock option and 
   stock purchase plan described in the Prospectus) or long-term debt (other 
   than in an amount up to $ ______) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries 
   or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective 
   material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, 
   financial position, stockholders' equity or results

<PAGE>

   of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set 
   forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;

      (f) The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in 
   fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal
   property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, 
   encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Prospectus or 
   such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not 
   interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the 
   Company and its subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under 
   lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid, 
   subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material 
   and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such 
   property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries;
   
      (g) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a 
   corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with 
   power and corporate authority to own its properties and conduct its business 
   as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign 
   corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the
   laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or 
   conducts any business so as to require such qualification, or is subject to 
   no material liability or disability by reason of the failure to be so 
   qualified in any such jurisdiction; and each subsidiary of the Company has 
   been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good 
   standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation;

      (h) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the 
   Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have
   been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and 
   non-assessable and conform to the description of the Company's capital stock 
   incorporated by reference into the Prospectus; and all of the issued shares 
   of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly
   authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and (except for 
   directors' qualifying shares and except as set forth in the Prospectus) are 
   owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, 
   encumbrances, equities or claims;
   
      (i) The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters 
   hereunder have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and 
   delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and 
   validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and will conform to the 
   description of the Stock incorporated by reference into the Prospectus;

      (j) The issue and sale of the Shares by the Company and the compliance 
   by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the 
   consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not conflict with 
   or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or 
   constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan 
   agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its
   subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
   bound or to

<PAGE>

    which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its 
   subsidiaries is subject except to the extent such conflict, breach or 
   violation would not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) have a material 
   adverse effect on the general affairs, financial position, stockholders' 
   equity, results of operation or prospects of the Company or (ii) affect the 
   validity, performance or consummation of the transactions contemplated by 
   this Agreement (either (i) or (ii) constituting a "Material Adverse Effect"),
   nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the 
   Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or any statute or any 
   order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having 
   jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their 
   properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or 
   qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is 
   required for the issue and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the 
   Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except the 
   registration under the Act of the Shares and such consents, approvals, 
   authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under 
   state securities or Blue Sky laws or by the National Association of 
   Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") in connection with the purchase and 
   distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters;

      (k) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of 
   its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or in default in the performance 
   or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition 
   contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or
   other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of
   its properties may be bound;

      (l) The statements incorporated by reference into the Prospectus with 
   respect to "Description of Capital Stock", insofar as they purport to 
   constitute a summary of the terms of the Stock, are accurate, complete and 
   fair;

      (m) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or 
   governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its 
   subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its
   subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or 
   any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a 
   material adverse effect on the current or future consolidated financial 
   position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and 
   its subsidiaries; and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, no such 
   proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or 
   threatened by others;

      (n) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale 
   of the Shares, will not be an "investment company" or an entity "controlled"
   by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the Investment 
   Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");
   
      (o) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates does business with the 
   government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba within the
   meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes; and

<PAGE>
   
      (p) Arthur Andersen LLP, who have certified certain financial statements 
   of the Company and its subsidiaries, and Ernst & Young LLP and Arthur 
   Andersen LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of Cooper & 
   Chyan Technology, Inc. and High Level Design Systems, Inc., respectively, are
   each independent public accountants as required by the Act and the rules and 
   regulations of the Commission thereunder.

      (q) The Company owns, or possesses adequate rights to use, all material 
   trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark
   registrations, domain names and copyrights necessary for the conduct of its 
   business and has no reason to believe that the conduct of its business will 
   conflict with, and has not received any notice of any claim of conflict with 
   any such rights or others except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
   and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have infringed or are   
   infringing any trademarks, services marks, trade names, trademark 
   registrations, service mark registrations, domain names or copyrights, which 
   infringement could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; 

      (r) The Company owns, or possesses adequate rights to use, all material 
   patents necessary for the conduct of its business; no valid Unites States 
   patent is, or to the knowledge of the Company would be, infringed by the 
   activities of the Company, except as would not have a Material Adverse 
   Effect; there are no actions, suits or judicial proceedings pending relating 
   to patents or proprietary information to which the Company is a party or of 
   which any property of the Company is subject, and, to the knowledge of the 
   Company, no actions, suits or judicial proceedings are threatened by 
   governmental authorities or, except as set forth or incorporated by reference
   in the Prospectus others, in each case except as would not have a Material 
   Adverse Effect; except as set forth or incorporated by reference in the 
   Prospectus or as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company is not
   aware of any claim by others that the Company is infringing or otherwise 
   violating the patents or other intellectual property of others and is not 
   aware of any rights of third parties to any of the Company's patent 
   applications, licensed patents or licenses which could affect materially the 
   use thereof by the Company; 

      (s) The Company carries, or is covered by, insurance as is customary 
   for companies similarly situated and engaged in similar businesses in similar
   industries; 

      (t) There are no contracts or other documents which are required to be 
   described in the Prospectus or to be filed or incorporated by reference as 
   exhibits to the Initial Registration Statement by the Act or the Exchange Act
   which are not so filed or incorporated by reference;

      (u) No labor disturbance by the employees of the Company exists or, to 
   the knowledge of the Company, is imminent which might be expected to have a
   material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of 
   operations or prospects of the Company; 

<PAGE>

      (v) Each of the Forms S-4 relating to the acquisition by the Company of 
   Cooper & Chyan Technology, Inc. and High Level Design Systems, Inc. and each
   of the documents incorporated by reference therein, when they were or are 
   filed with the Commission and when they became or become effective, as the 
   case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the 
   Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the
   Commission thereunder and, none of such documents on the date they were or 
   are filed or were or are declared effective contained an untrue statement of
   a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated 
   therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any 
   further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in such Forms S-4 or
   any further amendment or supplement thereto, when such further documents or 
   Forms S-4 became effective or were or are filed with the Commission, as the 
   case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the 
   Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the
   Commission thereunder and did or will not contain an untrue statement of a 
   material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
   or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and

      (w) The Company is qualified, or prior to consummation of its acquisition 
   of Cooper & Chyan Technology, Inc. will be, qualified to account for its 
   acquisition of Cooper & Chyan Technology, Inc. as a pooling of interests.

     2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the Company 
agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the 
Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, 
at a purchase price per share of $___________, the number of Firm Shares set 
forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and (b) in 
the event and to the extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the election 
to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, the Company agrees to issue 
and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, 
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase 
price per share set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2, that portion of 
the number of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have been 
exercised (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares) 
determined by multiplying such number of Optional Shares by a fraction, the 
numerator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares which such 
Underwriter is entitled to purchase as set forth opposite the name of such 
Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and the denominator of which is the maximum 
number of Optional Shares that all of the Underwriters are entitled to 
purchase hereunder.

     The Company hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to purchase at 
their election up to 750,000 Optional Shares, at the purchase price per share 
set forth in the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of covering 
overallotments in the sale of the Firm Shares.  Any such election to purchase 
Optional Shares may be exercised only by written notice from you to the 
Company, given within a period of 30 calendar days after the date of this 
Agreement,

<PAGE>

setting forth the aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the 
date on which such Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by you 
but in no event earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in 
Section 4 hereof) or, unless you and the Company otherwise agree in writing, 
earlier than two or later than ten business days after the date of such 
notice.

     3. Upon the authorization by you of the release of the Firm Shares, the 
several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale upon the terms 
and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

          4.(a) The Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, in 
     definitive form, and in such authorized denominations and registered in 
     such names as Goldman, Sachs & Co. may request upon at least forty-eight
     hours prior notice to the Company shall be delivered by or on behalf of
     the Company to Goldman, Sachs & Co., through the facilities of the 
     Depository Trust Company, for the account of such Underwriter, against 
     payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price 
     therefor by wire transfer, payable to the order of the Company by wire 
     transfer in same day funds.  The Company will cause the certificates 
     representing the Shares to be made available for checking and packaging 
     at least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery (as defined 
     below) at the office of DTC or its designated custodian (the 
     "Designated Office").  The time and date of such delivery and payment 
     shall be, with respect to the Firm Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York City time, 
     on ___________, 1996 or such other time and date as Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
     and the Company may agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the 
     Optional Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York time, on the date specified by 
     Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the written notice given by Goldman, Sachs & Co.
     of the Underwriters' election to purchase such Optional Shares, or such 
     other time and date as Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the Company may agree 
     upon in writing.  Such time and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is 
     herein called the "First Time of Delivery", such time and date for delivery
     of the Optional Shares, if not the First Time of Delivery, is herein called
     the "Second Time of Delivery", and each such time and date for delivery is 
     herein called a "Time of Delivery".

     (b) The documents to be delivered at each Time of Delivery by or on 
behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 7 hereof, including the 
cross receipt for the Shares and any additional documents requested by the 
Underwriters pursuant to Section 7(j) hereof, will be delivered at the 
offices of Cooley Godward LLP, 3000 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (the 
"Closing Location"), and the Shares will be delivered at the Designated 
Office, all at such Time of Delivery.  A meeting will be held at the Closing 
Location at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York 

<PAGE>

Business Day next preceding such Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final 
drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence 
will be available for review by the parties hereto.  For the purposes of this 
Section 4, a "New York Business Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking 
institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or 
executive order to close.

     5. The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters:

     (a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by you and to file such 
Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the 
Commission's close of business on the second business day following the 
execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if applicable, such earlier 
time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3) under the Act; to make no further 
amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus prior 
to the last Time of Delivery which shall be disapproved by you promptly after 
reasonable notice thereof; to advise you, promptly after it receives notice 
thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has 
been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any 
amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish you with copies thereof; to 
file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements 
required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the 
Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in 
connection with the offering or sale of the Shares; to advise you, promptly 
after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any 
stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any 
Preliminary Prospectus or prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification 
of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or 
threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the 
Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or 
Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance 
of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any 
Preliminary Prospectus or prospectus or suspending any such qualification, 
promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

     (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may reasonably 
request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the securities laws 
of such jurisdictions as you may request and to comply with such laws so as 
to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions 
for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Shares, 
provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to 
qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of 
process in any jurisdiction;

     (c) Prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York Business 
Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and from time to time to 
furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus in New York City in 
such quantities as you may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a 
prospectus is required at any time prior to the expiration of nine months 
after the time of issue of the Prospectus in connection with the offering or 
sale of the Shares and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a 
result of which the Prospectus

<PAGE>

as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a 
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make 
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they 
were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any 
other reason it shall be necessary during such period to amend or supplement 
the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by 
reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act or the Exchange 
Act, to notify you and upon your request to file such document and to prepare 
and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in 
securities as many copies as you may from time to time reasonably request of 
an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct 
such statement or omission or effect such compliance, and in case any 
Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales of 
any of the Shares at any time nine months or more after the time of issue of 
the Prospectus, upon your request but at the expense of such Underwriter, to 
prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as you may request of 
an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the 
Act;

     (d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as 
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the 
effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under 
the Act), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which 
need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules 
and regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 
158);

     (e) During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to 
and including the date 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, not to 
offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided 
hereunder, any securities of the Company that are substantially similar to 
the Shares, including but not limited to any securities that are convertible 
into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Stock or 
any such substantially similar securities (other than in connection with the 
Company's acquisition of Cooper & Chyan Technology, Inc. and High Level 
Design Systems, Inc. as disclosed in the Prospectus, or, if the acquisition 
of High Level Design Systems, Inc. does not occur prior to the Company's 
acquisition of Cooper & Chyan Technology, the issuance and sale in a firm 
underwritten public offering (or in a private placement in which one of the 
Representatives acts as the placement agent, of the number of Shares of Stock 
contemplated to be issued in the acquisition of High Level Design Systems, 
Inc. if necessary to permit the acquisition of Cooper & Chyan Technology to 
qualify for pooling of interests accounting treatment or pursuant to employee 
stock option plans existing on, or upon the conversion or exchange of 
convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date of this 
Agreement), without your prior written consent;

     (f) To furnish to its stockholders as soon as practicable after the end 
of each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance sheet and 
statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and 
its consolidated subsidiaries certified by independent public accountants) 
and, as soon as practicable after the end of each of the first three quarters 
of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending after the 
effective

<PAGE>

date of the Registration Statement), consolidated summary financial 
information of the Company and its subsidiaries for such quarter in 
reasonable detail;

     (g) During a period of five years from the effective date of the 
Registration Statement, to furnish to you copies of all reports or other 
communications (financial or other) furnished to stockholders, and to deliver 
to you (i) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial 
statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national 
securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is 
listed; and (ii) such additional information concerning the business and 
financial condition of the Company as you may from time to time reasonably 
request (such financial statements to be on a consolidated basis to the 
extent the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in 
reports furnished to its stockholders generally or to the Commission);

     (h) To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares 
pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the Prospectus under 
the caption "Use of Proceeds";

     (i) To use its best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the 
Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"); and 

     (j) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall 
file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance 
with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this 
Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the 
Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give 
irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) 
under the Act.

     6. The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that 
the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following:  (i) the fees, 
disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in 
connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and all other 
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the 
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and 
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies 
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or 
producing any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, the Blue Sky 
Memorandum, closing documents (including any compilations thereof) and any 
other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery 
of the Shares; (iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the 
Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in 
Section 5(b) hereof, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the 
Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the 
Blue Sky survey (iv) all fees and expenses in connection with listing the 
Shares on the Exchange; the filing fees incident to, and the fees and 
disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with, securing 
any required review by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. 
of the terms of the sale of the 

<PAGE>

Shares; the cost of preparing stock certificates; the cost and charges of any 
transfer agent or registrar; and all other costs and expenses incident to the 
performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically 
provided for in this Section.  It is understood, however, that, except as 
provided in this Section, and Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the Underwriters will 
pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, 
stock transfer taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them, and any 
advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

     7. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, as to the Shares to be 
delivered at each Time of Delivery, shall be subject, in their discretion, to 
the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of 
the Company herein are, at and as of such Time of Delivery, true and correct, 
the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations 
hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional 
conditions:

          (a) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission 
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for 
     such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance 
     with Section 5(a) hereof; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 
     462(b), the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective
     by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time on the date of this Agreement; no stop
     order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any 
     part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose 
     shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests
     for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been 
     complied with to your reasonable satisfaction;

          (b) Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation, counsel for the 
     Underwriters, shall have furnished to you such opinion or opinions (a draft
     of each such opinion is attached as Annex III(a) hereto), dated such Time 
     of Delivery, with respect to the matters covered in paragraphs (i) 
     (provided, such opinion may be limited to the Shares), (ii), (vii), (xi),
     (xiii) and (xiv) of subsection (c) below as well as such other related 
     matters as you may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received
     such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them 
     to pass upon such matters;

          (c) Cooley Godward LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have 
     furnished to you their written opinion (a draft of each such opinion is 
     attached as Annex II(b) hereto), dated such Time of Delivery, in form and 
     substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

               (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly 
          existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State
          of Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own its properties 
          and conduct its business as described in the Prospects;

<PAGE>

              (ii) The Company has the authorized capital stock as set forth in
          the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" as of the dates 
          stated therein, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of 
          capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly issued and
          are fully paid and non-assessable.  The Shares have been duly 
          authorized and, upon issuance and delivery against payment therefor
          in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, will be duly and 
          validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable and will conform 
          to the description of the Company's Common Stock incorporated by 
          reference into the Prospectus;

             (iii) The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign 
          corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing 
          under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases 
          properties or conducts any business so as to require such 
          qualification and where any statutory fines or penalties or any 
          corporate disability imposed for failure to qualify would 
          materially and adversely affect the Company, its assets, financial
          condition or operations;

              (iv) Each material subsidiary of the Company is listed on 
          Exhibit A hereto (the "Material Subsidiaries") and has been duly 
          incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good 
          standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; all
          of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each such 
          Material Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued,
          are fully paid and non-assessable, and are owned of record, directly
          or indirectly by the Company (except for director's qualifying 
          shares); to the best of such counsel's knowledge, the Company owns 
          such shares free and clear of all material liens, encumbrances, 
          equities or claims;

               (v) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as 
          set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental 
          proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
          is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its 
          subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a material
          adverse effect on the assets, financial condition or operations of 
          the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and, to the best 
          of such counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings have been overtly
          threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any 
          governmental authorities or others;

              (vi) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and 
          delivered by the Company;

             (vii) The issuance and sale of the Shares, the compliance by the 
          Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the 
          consummation of the transactions herein contemplated do not constitute
          and will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or 
          provisions of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement 
          or instrument listed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, nor
          will such action result in any violation of the provisions of: (a) the
          Certificate of

<PAGE>

          Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company; (b) any governmental statute,
          rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its 
          subsidiaries (except that counsel need not express any opinion with 
          respect to antifraud rules or regulations, state securities or "blue 
          sky" statutes, or the requirements of the National Association of 
          Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD")); or (c) any order, writ, 
          judgment, decree, determination or award that has been entered against
          the Company or any of its subsidiaries and of which we are aware, 
          the violation or contravention of which would materially and adversely
          affect the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and their 
          assets, financial condition or operations, taken as a whole.

            (viii) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration 
          or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or
          body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares or the 
          consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this
          Agreement, except the registration of the Shares under the Act, and 
          such consents, approvals, authorizations or orders of, and filings, 
          registrations or qualifications as may be required by the NASD or 
          under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connections with the 
          purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters;

              (ix) To the best of our knowledge, neither the Company nor any of 
          its subsidiaries is in violation of its Certificate of Incorporation 
          or By-laws;

               (x) The description of the Company's capital stock incorporated 
          by reference in the Prospectus insofar as it purports to constitute a
          summary of matters of laws or legal conclusions is, in all material 
          respects, accurate;

              (xi) The Company is not an "investment company" as such term is 
          defined in the Investment Company Act;

             (xii) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or
          any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company 
          prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements 
          and related schedules therein and financial and statistical data 
          derived therefrom as to which such counsel need express no opinion),
          when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the 
          case may be, complied as to form in all material respects with the 
          requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the
          rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;

            (xiii) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any further
          amendments and supplements thereto made by the Company prior to 
          such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related
          schedules therein and financial and statistical data derived therefrom
          as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in
          all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the rules
          and regulations thereunder;
<PAGE>

          Counsel rendering the foregoing opinion may rely on questions 
     of law not involving the laws of the United States of the States of 
     California and Delaware, upon opinions of local counsel, and in respect 
     of matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company.

          In addition to the matters set forth above, counsel rendering the 
     foregoing opinion shall also include a statement to the effect that while 
     they have not independently verified, and accordingly, are not 
     confirming and assume no responsibility for the accuracy or 
     completeness of the statements contained or incorporated by reference in 
     the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (except as set forth in 
     paragraph (x) above), nothing has come to the attention of such counsel 
     that has caused such counsel to believe that (a) as of the effective date 
     of the Registration Statement, the Registration Statement (other than the 
     financial statements and related schedules and other financial data 
     included therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) 
     contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a 
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
     statements therein not misleading or (b) as of its date and the date 
     hereof, the Prospectus (other than the financial statements and related 
     schedules and other financial data included therein, as to which such 
     counsel need express no opinion) contained or contains an untrue 
     statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact 
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, 
     in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not 
     misleading.  In addition, counsel shall state that they do not know of any 
     amendment to the Registration Statement required to be filed or of any 
     contract or documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to 
     the Registration Statement or required to be incorporated by reference 
     into the Prospectus or required to be described in the Registration 
     Statement or the Prospectus which are not filed or incorporated by 
     reference or described as required.

     (d) On the date of the Prospectus at a time prior to the execution of 
this Agreement, at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the effective date of 
any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed subsequent 
to the date of this Agreement and also at each Time of Delivery, Arthur 
Andersen LLP shall have furnished to you a letter or letters, dated the 
respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to 
you, to the effect set forth in Annex I(a) hereto; with respect to the 
Company and Ernst & Young LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP each shall have 
furnished to you a letter or letters, dated the respective dates of delivery 
thereof

<PAGE>

in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex 
I(b) and Annex I(c) hereto, with respect to Cooper & Chyan Technology, Inc. 
and High Level Design Systems, Inc., respectively (the executed copies of 
each letter delivered prior to the execution of this Agreement are attached 
as Annexes I(a)(i), I(b)(i) and I(c)(i) hereto, and a draft of the form of 
each letter to be delivered on the effective date of any post-effective 
amendment to the Registration Statement and as of each Time of Delivery and 
attached as Annexes I(a)(ii), I(b)(ii) and I(c)(ii) hereto);

     (e)(i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have 
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included 
or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any loss or interference with 
its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not 
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental 
action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the 
Prospectus, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is 
given in the Prospectus there shall not have been any change in the capital 
stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any 
change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting 
the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity or 
results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as 
set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such 
case described in Clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of the 
Representatives so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or 
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares 
being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner 
contemplated in the Prospectus;

     (f) On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any of the 
following:  (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities 
generally on the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) a suspension or material 
limitation in trading in the Company's securities on the New York Stock 
Exchange; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities 
declared by either Federal or New York or California State authorities; or 
(iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or 
the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, if the 
effect of any such event specified in this Clause (iv) in the judgment of the 
Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the 
public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of 
Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus;

     (g) The Shares to be sold at such Time of Delivery shall have been duly 
listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the Exchange

     (h) The Company has obtained and delivered to the Underwriters executed 
copies of an agreement from all executive officers and directors of the 
Company, substantially to the effect set forth in Subsection 5(e) hereof in 
form and substance satisfactory to you; and

     (i) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you at 
such Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to 
you as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company 
herein at and as of such Time of

<PAGE>

Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all of its obligations 
hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, as to the 
matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of this Section and as to such 
other matters as you may reasonably request.

     8.(a)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter 
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to 
which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, 
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect 
thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue 
statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the 
Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement 
thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission 
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary 
to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each 
Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such 
Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or 
claim as such expenses are incurred; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company 
shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, 
damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or 
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any 
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any 
such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written 
information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through Goldman, 
Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein.

     (b) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company 
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may 
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, 
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are 
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact 
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the 
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are 
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact 
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not 
misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such 
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission 
was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the 
Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in 
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such 
Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein; and will 
reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by 
the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such action or 
claim as such expenses are incurred.

     (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) 
or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified 
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the 
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in 
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the 
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have 
to any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection.  In case any 
such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall 
notify the indemnifying party of the commencement

<PAGE>

thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, 
to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party 
similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory 
to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the 
indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, after notice 
from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to 
assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to 
such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of other 
counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such 
indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than 
reasonable costs of investigation.  No indemnifying party shall, without the 
written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise 
of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or 
threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or 
contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is 
an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, 
compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the 
indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and 
(ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability 
or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

     (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable 
to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) 
or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or 
actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party 
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a 
result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect 
thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative 
benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the 
other from the offering of the Shares.  If, however, the allocation provided 
by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or 
if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under subsection 
(c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid 
or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to 
reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the 
Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with 
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or 
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant 
equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company on 
the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the 
same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting 
expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts 
and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in 
the table on the cover page of the Prospectus.  The relative fault shall be 
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged 
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to 
state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the 
one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent, 
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such 
statement or omission.  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would 
not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this subsection (d) 
were determined by PRO RATA allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated 
as one entity for such

<PAGE>

purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of 
the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d).  The 
amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, 
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to 
above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other 
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with 
investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the 
provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be required to 
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at 
which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were 
offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such 
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or 
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty 
of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 
Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of 
such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations in this 
subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective 
underwriting obligations and not joint.

     (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in 
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall 
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who 
controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations 
of the Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any 
liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall 
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of 
the Company and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the 
meaning of the Act.

     9.(a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the 
Shares which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time of Delivery, you 
may in your discretion arrange for you or another party or other parties to 
purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein.  If within thirty-six 
hours after such default by any Underwriter you do not arrange for the 
purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further 
period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or other 
parties satisfactory to you to purchase such Shares on such terms.  In the 
event that, within the respective prescribed periods, you notify the Company 
that you have so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, or the Company 
notifies you that it has so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, you or 
the Company shall have the right to postpone such Time of Delivery for a 
period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may 
thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or 
in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file 
promptly any amendments to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which 
in your opinion may thereby be made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used 
in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section 
with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this 
Agreement with respect to such Shares.

     (b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the 
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as 
provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which 
remains unpurchased does not

<PAGE>

exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased 
at such Time of Delivery, then the Company shall have the right to require 
each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of shares which such 
Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such Time of Delivery and, in 
addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata 
share (based on the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to 
purchase hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or 
Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing 
herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

     (c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the 
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as 
provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which 
remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the 
Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, or if the Company shall not 
exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require 
non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or 
Underwriters, then this Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Time of 
Delivery, the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company 
to sell the Optional Shares) shall thereupon terminate, without liability on 
the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except for the 
expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in 
Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 8 
hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from 
liability for its default.

     10. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties 
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set 
forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, 
pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless 
of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or 
on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or 
the Company, or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, 
and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.

     11. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof, 
the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter except 
as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof; but, if for any other reason, any 
Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, 
the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through you for all out-of-pocket 
expenses approved in writing by you, including fees and disbursements of 
counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for 
the purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares not so delivered, but the 
Company shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter except as 
provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

     12. In all dealings hereunder, you shall act on behalf of each of the 
Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon 
any statement, request, notice or

<PAGE>

agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by you jointly or by 
Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of you as the Representatives.

     All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in 
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex 
or facsimile transmission to you as the representatives in care of Goldman, 
Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street, New York, New York  10004, Attention: 
Registration Department; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by 
mail to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, 
Attention: General Counsel; provided, however, that any notice to an 
Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by 
mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set 
forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such 
Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by you upon 
request.  Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take 
effect upon receipt thereof.

     13. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the 
benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent provided in 
Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company and each 
person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their respective 
heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person 
shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No 
purchaser of any of the Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed a 
successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

     14. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.  As used herein, the 
term "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in 
Washington, D.C.  is open for business.

     15. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with 
the laws of the State of New York.

     16. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties 
hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an 
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the 
same instrument.

<PAGE>

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and 
return to us one executed counterpart of this Agreement for the Company, each 
of the Representatives and each counsel, and upon the acceptance hereof by 
you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance 
hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters 
and the Company.  It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on 
behalf of each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in 
a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted 
to the Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on your 
part as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

                                   By:

                                   Name:
                                   Title:
Accepted as of the date hereof:

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED

BY:
        (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)
On behalf of each of the Underwriters

<PAGE>

                                        SCHEDULE I

                                                         NUMBER OF OPTIONAL
                                                             SHARES TO BE
                                       TOTAL NUMBER          PURCHASED IF
                                            OF
                                       FIRM SHARES          MAXIMUM OPTION
         UNDERWRITER                  TO BE PURCHASED          EXERCISED
         -----------                  ---------------    ------------------
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
[NAMES OF OTHER UNDERWRITERS]
                                          ---------            -------
Total                                     5,000,000            750,000
                                          ---------            -------
                                          ---------            -------

<PAGE>

                                     ANNEX I

     Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants 
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

         (i) They are independent certified public accountants with respect to 
    the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the 
    applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

        (ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any 
    supplementary financial information and schedules (and, if applicable, 
    financial forecasts and/or pro forma financial information) examined by 
    them and included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
    or the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the 
    applicable accounting requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as 
    applicable, and the related published rules and regulations thereunder; and,
    if applicable, they have made a review in accordance with standards 
    established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the
    consolidated interim financial statements, selected financial data, pro 
    forma financial information and/or condensed financial statements derived 
    from financial statements of the Company for the periods specified in such 
    letter, as indicated in their reports thereon, copies of which have been 
    furnished to the representatives of the Underwriters (the "Representatives")
    and are attached hereto;

       (iii) They have made a review in accordance with standards established 
    by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited 
    condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
    consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus and/or 
    included in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q incorporated by 
    reference into the Prospectus as indicated in their reports thereon copies 
    of which are attached hereto; and on the basis of specified procedures 
    including inquiries of officials of the Company who have responsibility for 
    financial and accounting matters regarding whether the unaudited condensed 
    consolidated financial statements referred to in paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below
    comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting 
    requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the related published rules
    and regulations, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe
    that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not comply
    as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting 
    requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the related published rules
    and regulations;

        (iv) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to the 
    consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company for
    the five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus and included or
    incorporated by reference in Item 6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 
    10-K for the most recent fiscal year agrees with the corresponding amounts 
    (after restatement where applicable) in the audited consolidated 

<PAGE>

    financial statements for such five fiscal years which were included or 
    incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K 
    for such fiscal years;

         (v) They have compared the information in the Prospectus under 
    selected captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and on
    the basis of limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came to 
    their attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused them to 
    believe that this information does not conform in all material respects with
    the disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and 503(d), respectively,
    of Regulation S-K;

        (vi) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an 
    examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, 
    consisting of a reading of the unaudited financial statements and other 
    information referred to below, a reading of the latest available interim 
    financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the
    minute books of the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the 
    latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference 
    in the Prospectus, inquiries of officials of the Company and its 
    subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters and such other
    inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing came 
    to their attention that caused them to believe that:

            (A)(i) the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, 
       consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows 
       included in the Prospectus and/or included or incorporated by reference
       in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by 
       reference in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material 
       respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Exchange 
       Act and the related published rules and regulations, or (ii) any material
       modifications should be made to the unaudited condensed consolidated 
       statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and consolidated 
       statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus or included in the 
       Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in 
       the Prospectus, for them to be in conformity with generally accepted 
       accounting principles;

            (B) any other unaudited income statement data and balance sheet 
        items included in the Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding 
        items in the unaudited consolidated financial statements from which such
        data and items were derived, and any such unaudited data and items 
        were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis 
        for the corresponding amounts in the audited consolidated financial 
        statements included or incorporated by reference in the Company's 
        Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;
        
            (C) the unaudited financial statements which were not included in 
        the Prospectus but from which were derived the unaudited condensed 
        financial statements referred to in Clause (A) and any unaudited income
        statement data and balance sheet items included in the Prospectus and 
        referred to in Clause (B) were

<PAGE>

        not determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis 
        for the audited financial statements included or incorporated 
        by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
        for the most recent fiscal year;

            (D) any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial 
        statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do 
        not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable 
        accounting requirements of the Act and the published rules and 
        regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments have not been 
        properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those 
        statements;

            (E) as of a specified date not more than five days prior to the date
        of such letter, there have been any changes in the consolidated capital
        stock (other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise of options 
        and stock appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares and
        upon conversions of convertible securities, in each case which were 
        outstanding on the date of the latest balance sheet included or 
        incorporated by reference in the Prospectus) or any increase in the 
        consolidated long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, or any
        decreases in consolidated net current assets or stockholders' equity or
        other items specified by the Representatives, or any increases in any 
        items specified by the Representatives, in each case as compared with 
        amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by 
        reference in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases
        or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may 
        occur or which are described in such letter; and

            (F) for the period from the date of the latest financial statements
        included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to the specified
        date referred to in Clause (E) there were any decreases in consolidated
        net revenues or operating profit or the total or per share amounts of
        consolidated net income or other items specified by the Representatives,
        or any increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each
        case as compared with the comparable period of the preceding year and
        with any other period of corresponding length specified by the
        Representatives, except in each case for increases or decreases which
        the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are
        described in such letter; and

      (vii) In addition to the examination referred to in their report(s) 
    included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the limited 
    procedures, inspection of minute books, inquiries and other procedures 
    referred to in paragraphs (iii) and (vi) above, they have carried out 
    certain specified procedures, not constituting an examination in 
    accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with respect to 
    certain amounts, percentages and financial information specified by the 
    Representatives which are derived from the general accounting records of 
    the Company and its subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus 
    (excluding documents incorporated by reference) or in Part II of, or in
    exhibits and schedules to, the Registration

<PAGE>

    Statement specified by the Representatives or in documents incorporated
    by reference in the Prospectus specified by the Representatives, and have 
    compared certain of such amounts, percentages and financial information 
    with the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and have 
    found them to be in agreement.


<PAGE>

                             [LETTERHEAD]




                                        JULIA L. DAVIDSON
                                        415 843-5127
                                        [email protected]


November 18, 1996




Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
2655 Seely Road
Building 5, M55B2
San Jose, California  95134

RE:  CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection 
with the filing by Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (the "Company") of a 
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission covering the underwritten offering of up 
to 5,750,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Shares"), with a par 
value of $0.01 (the "Common Stock"), including 750,000 shares of Common Stock 
for which the Underwriters will be granted an over-allotment option pursuant 
to the Underwriting Agreement. Defined terms used herein shall have the 
meanings attributed to such terms in the Registration Statement unless 
otherwise stated herein. 

In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement, 
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as amended, and such 
other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we 
deem necessary as a basis for this opinion.  We have assumed the genuineness 
and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the 
conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, 
and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and 
delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion 
that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Registration 
Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

<PAGE>

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
November 18, 1996
Page 2


We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Matters" 
in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

Cooley Godward llp


/s/ Julia L. Davidson

Julia L. Davidson


cc:  R.L. Smith McKeithen, Esq.
     Alan C. Mendelson, Esq.


<PAGE>
   
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
    
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
reports and to all references to our Firm included, or incorporated by
reference, in this Registration Statement.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
San Jose, California
 
   
November 15, 1996
    


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission