What: A written paper that explores the math behind a personal interest of your choice
Why:
- To apply and transfer skills to alternative situations, to other areas of knowledge, and to future
developments - To appreciate the moral, social, and ethical implications of Mathematics
- To appreciate the international dimensions & universality of Mathematics
- Appreciate the contribution of Mathematics to other disciples
Specifics:
• 6-12 pages
• All sources must be cited in a bibliography. Please use the subsections Works Cited, Image Sources, and
Definition Sources.
• Not a regurgitation of facts or a historical essay.
• The target audience is your peers. Not expected to be a formal dissertation using ostentatious
vocabulary.
• The use of mathematical technology or software is strongly encouraged.
• You are not expected to use any mathematics outside the level of this course, but you may if it is
commensurate with the level of the course.
• 20% of your IB mark
Technology:
• GeoGebra: Software for working with graphs, diagrams, functions, spreadsheets, statistics and more.
• Desmos: Software for graphing points, functions, and tables.
• Equation Editor: Found in Microsoft Word and Google docs. Used for writing equations and other
mathematical notation. (You may need to install this feature)
• WolframAlpha/Mathematica: Computation software
IB MATH SL IA EVALUATION CRITERION
A: COMMUNICATION (4 marks)
• Includes Introduction, the rationale (Why did you choose this topic? Why is this topic of interest to you?), aim
(What do you hope your reader will learn?), and conclusion
• Expressing ideas clearly
• Identifying a clear aim for the exploration
• Focusing on the aim and avoiding irrelevance
• Structuring ideas in a logical manner
• Editing the exploration so that it is easy to follow
• Citing references where appropriate
• Graphs, tables, and diagrams should accompany the work in the appropriate place and not be attached as
appendices to the document.
B: MATHEMATICAL PRESENTATION (3 marks)
• Using appropriate mathematical language and representation (notation, symbols, terminology)
• Defining key terms, where required
• Selecting appropriate mathematical tools & technology (such as graphic display calculators, screenshots,
graphing software, spreadsheets, databases, drawing & word-processing software, etc)
• Expressing results to an appropriate degree of accuracy
• Use multiple forms of mathematical representation, such as formulae, diagrams, tables, charts, graphs and
models, where appropriate.
C: PERSONAL ENGAGEMENT (4 marks)
• Thinking independently and/or creatively
• Asking questions, making conjectures, and investigating mathematical ideas
• Researching areas of interest
• Looking for and creating mathematical models for real-world situations
• Considering historical and global perspectives
• Demonstrating that you have “made the exploration their own”
• Expressing ideas in an individual way
• Addressing personal interest
• Presenting mathematical ideas in their own way.
• Asking and answering questions: “I wonder if…”, “What would happen if…” “Why does that happen…
D: REFLECTION (3 marks)
• Reviewing, analysing and evaluating the exploration.
• Discussing the implications of results
• Considering the significance of the exploration
• Looking at possible limitations and/or extensions
• Making links to different fields and/or areas of mathematics
• Making connections to TOK
E: USE OF MATHEMATICS (6 marks)
• Demonstrating knowledge and understanding
• Producing work that is within the level of the course.
• Applying mathematics in different contexts
• Applying problem-solving techniques
• Recognizing and explaining patterns, where appropriate
• Looking at a problem from different perspectives
• Error-free mathematics
• Mathematical sophistication
IB MATH SL IA OUTLINE WORKSHEET
Name: _______________________________________
Stimuli: ______________________________________
Specific Topic: ________________________________
My research question is:
My Aim is:
My Rationale is:
My 5 Sources are (at least 2 non-internet sources):
- _______________________________________________
- _______________________________________________
- ________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________
What are the math connections (syllabus topics) to your area of interest?
What are some things that you may have to research in order to answer your research question?
What are the definitions you will need to define for people not familiar with this topic?
What are some possible visual representations (graphs, tables, diagrams,…) that you might want to include?
Name _____________
Period _Date _______
Three Possible Topics - Topic 1: ___________________________
Research Question:
Rationale: - Topic 2: ____________________________
Research Question:
Rationale: - Topic 3: ____________________________
Research Question:
Rationale:
Sample Solution
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