Mathematics
Discussion of everything related to IB Mathematics.
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Do not post mathematical solutions to questions about Internal Assessment tasks or ask for them. This will lead to account suspension and, in exceptional circumstances, referral to the IBO for investigation. Please see this post for details on what you can and can't do: Mathematics Forum Rules
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I haven't seen any IA tips around so I guess I would share some tips gathered from my Mathematics HL teacher's suggestions, some IBSurvival members' suggestions, my own knowledge and my own experiences. Cover Page Unless this is set by your school, I recommend that your cover page includes: • School Name (e.g. Sekolah Tiara Bangsa – ACS) • School Crest, if available • Subject & Level (e.g. Mathematics HL) • Portfolio Type (e.g. Portfolio Type I) • Portfolio Title (e.g. Patterns Within Systems of Linear Equations) • Candidate Name (e.g. Desy Kristianti) • Candidate Number (e.g. 001863-002) • Examination Session (e.g. May 2012) Header and Footer I recommend that your H…
Last reply by Magician, -
Yup cabso is right...you are truly good at this.!!......I also had a question for you...Becuase I moved a few American schools... and i was never good at maths..actually is the subject i hate coz im really bad at it...but i was wondering if you could still get your IB diploma if you take the lowest Math class.which is Math SL I bet...even tough it was even more confusing with the amercan formula that had a bigger varitey of levels including calculus...and all of that....
Last reply by kw0573, -
Hello people! I have seen Biology, Chemistry and Physics help threads; I figured I would create one for Mathematics too. I'm willing to help any Mathematics student with their problems or doubts. I am sure there would also be some other helpers, so if you have any Math question just post here unless they are questions regarding IA tasks. Questions regarding IA tasks must be posted in the correct IA threads and not here. Questions from textbooks, worksheets or even past year papers may be asked here no matter whether they are for Math HL, SL or even Studies. Please also include which Math level you are taking so the solution and explanation would be suitable with the exten…
Last reply by The Rainbow Connection, -
- 1 follower
- 37 replies
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In general, Applications and Interpretation covers a broad range of materials, but Analysis and Approaches covers a narrower range in greater depth. Below lists the main topics in each course, by color code from 2014-2020 syllabus Studies, SL and HL (including Further HL). New topics are italicized. HL includes all SL topics of the same course. Common topics in all new Math courses: Algebra: scientific notation, arithmetic/geometric progression, compound interest, annual depreciation, exponents/logarithms Functions: lines, graph of a function, domain/range, definition of inverse, identifying extremas, intercepts, symmetry, zeros, asymptotes Geometry/Tr…
Last reply by EthanBrickman, -
- 1 reply
- 21.6k views
The growing number of posts, where solutions to internal assessment tasks are given, has unfortunately led me to create a specific rule for this forum. [b]Do not post mathematical solutions to questions about Internal Assessment tasks.[/b] IB rules clearly state that students are not allowed to gain direct help, whether oral or written, in writing their mathematics IA tasks. Thus, even if a student is desperate in proving a statement or finding the correct method to problems, you may not give the answer to him. You may, however, give an answer of general nature (without actual calculation) that will direct a student to the methods required to find a solution. For examp…
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
- 27 replies
- 19k views
Here is some advice that you might want to follow right before and during the Math examination. Although most of these things are common sense, I think that putting it all down in words helps. So, 1) Ensure that you have atleast 2 working pens, a ruler, an eraser, two working pencils and your GDC put into your bag the night before the exam. - The last thing you want to do is forget something small and go around begging people for it/ going home to get it right before the exam. 2) Change the batteries of your GDC the night before the Paper 2 exam. - I know this is kind of extreme but after having used the GDC for so much exam practice [hopefully], the batteries might be ru…
Last reply by peterwilliam, -
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IBS has a system set up which allows you to enter in various bits of code and have them appear as mathematical symbols called Tex tags. For instance, rather than writing x^3, you can write . This is a quick guide explaining how to make this work for some of the more common Maths symbols you need for the IB. It may also come in handy as a way to copy/paste in as graphics for IAs, where relevant. For a more comprehensive overview, please take a look at this site: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/LaTeX/Mathematics Additional Links (kindly suggested by Chrypton) Detexify - This site contains a white drawing area where you can draw a math symbol that you don't know the LaTeX c…
Last reply by Xydan, -
- 0 replies
- 6.2k views
Here are the links to the notes and sample works for Math subjects that we have on our Files archive. To be able to download files, you have to be a VIP member or a VIP subscriber. Please see the FAQ for information on how to become a VIP or how to buy a VIP subscription. If you want to donate and contribute files to our archive, please see this announcement or this FAQ section. Mathematics Notes Sample HL Internal Assessments Sample SL Internal Assessments Sample Maths Studies Internal Assessments
Last reply by Survival Robot, -
- 6 replies
- 39.8k views
Hi everyone For my very first IA I have to write a 10pg paper on any math topic. There are so many topics out there and how do I just pick one?! Thanks!
Last reply by IBTutorOnline, -
- 11 replies
- 32k views
Guys, don't know if anyone else has this problem but on my TI-84 plus I can't scroll up to see past calculations. IS there anyway to fix this annoying problem?
Last reply by debi, -
- 5 replies
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Say you have Sin X and Sin Y, where X and Y are plane angles in degrees. Is there a way to simplify (Sin X)/(Sin Y)? I know this works: cis(x)/cis(y) but I'm hoping to find an analog in the conventional trig functions.
Last reply by Rahul, -
- 4 replies
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This year, I'll be in IB Math SL. Although I would prefer to take HL since I plan on majoring in Physics, my school doesn't offer it (nor do they offer IB Physics, so I'm taking AP Physics along with my IB courses). I plan on applying to several selective universities, none of which grant credit for SL exams; this will make it challenging to enter with enough math credit to follow the desired course sequence relevant to my major. However, they do seem to offer credit for AP Calculus AB. Although my school does offer Calculus AB (but not BC), I don't want to give up on the IB Diploma in order to take it. I don't have room in my schedule to take both, either. This brings me…
Last reply by peterwilliam, -
- 10 replies
- 22.2k views
Hey guys, I have a friend who is conflicted on whether or not to take the IB Diploma program because of the math offered in our school. Only math SL is available but they say he can take courses online for math HL. He says he may want to become a computer engineer so he'll need a lot of math and in another school they offer Precalc, Calculus, and AP math (I don't really know how American systems work so as far as I know they're all separate classes but Precalc and Calculus can be in AP math). So should he transfer to another school because of this? I heard from another friend that Math SL is similar to AP math but I don't know how true that is... :|
Last reply by najem, -
- 56 replies
- 21.2k views
I just found an amazing graphing program that takes a bit to get used to, but is really handy. The program itself is called Advanced Grapher or Agrapher for short. It can be found at http://www.alentum.com/agrapher/. It comes with a 30day free trial, but costs money after that. I know some people who utilized their computer knowledge to ascertain a full version of this program by questionable means, but I do not personally endorse hacking. So what useful graphing programs have you found?
Last reply by Zenith, -
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Hey! I was wondering if anyone has done a Maths IA (exploration) connected with sport and calculations around it, can be both HL or SL. I have to write an essay in Maths (for a competition) which is somehow similar to IA (but it's not really about IA), so that's why it doesn't have any specified level of Maths required. I was thinking of calculating something with skiing (or figure skating) cause I'm interested in that and I think I could find some Maths in it. However, I'm not sure how to tackle the topic (I'm in Y1 so we haven't started our IAs yet) and what it could possibly be about. If anyone has done an IA (or another Maths essay) in any of these topics, …
Last reply by ChocolateAndVanilla, -
- 2 replies
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What is the citation/ bibliography method for a math studies portfolio/ IA? Chicago, MLA, APA....?
Last reply by elaifyanre, -
So there are 2 people in the Maths HL class, and 5 in the Maths SL class. Only 7 doing the IB dip while one doing certs. Don't you prefer smaller classes? Makes it so much better, however, the other girl in my class has been absent for a few weeks, so the class gets ever so boring.
Last reply by humingyay, -
I find Integration by substitution absolutely annoying and irritating. It's either that or my feeble attempt to jog my rusty brain in the middle of the holidays to practice some maths. That didn't go so well. How are you guys finding Maths? I found it great and easy in the first half of the first year, but towards the end of the first year, it's getting harder.
Last reply by Wykked Wytch, -
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Hello. I need help in choosing a topic for a math hl internal assessment. If anyone has any ideas they did for their internal assessment whether it be hl or sl it would be greatly appreciated for inspiration. The final draft of my IA is due next year( senior. yr) but my teacher wants us to pick a topic and do a first draft by the end of this school yr. Since i'm still a junior and not yet familiar with some of the hl topic and since i did calculus this year i would like my ia to involve calculus. Im also comfortable with probability/permutation/combination which i know is a hl topic so my ia could involve that too. So if anyone has any ideas for me- thanks!
Last reply by IBmathstudent, -
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Hi! I've been looking for a new graphing calculator to get and I really like TI-nspire. However, there are two versions – CAS (computer algebra system) and [no-CAS]. I know that CAS is not allowed on IB exams (Math SL and Physics HL that I will take) while [no-CAS] is. [no-CAS] also comes with a TI-84 keyboard and has TI-84 emulator in it. CAS has a lot of more functionalities like solving equations and derivatives, is allowed on AP exams (I probably will take AP Statistics my senior year), and will be helpful in my future math classes, like Calc 2. Some people may prefer TI-89 but I'm definitely not going to buy it. So which one – TI-nspire [no-CAS] or TI-CAS? I really n…
Last reply by IOwnAndPwnU, -
- 10 replies
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Hello I take maths SL and my homework for the winter break was to come up with a topic for the IA. I'm considering f/stops in photography which has something to do with geometric sequences and some mathematical explanation why these stop numbers make sense. It seems good enough, I guess, but my concern is that it's not very authentic. May I have your opinions, please? Hadassah
Last reply by Carosam, -
- 3 replies
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I am about to finish writing my Math IA, but since I did a lot of research, I made the font quite small and made the margins and spacing shorter so that I could fit my research into the 6~12 page restriction. Isnt it ok to make your font, spacing and margins however small/big you want it, as long as the page number is between 6~12? There is no set rule, would I get marked down if I cram too many words for my IA?
Last reply by kw0573, -
- 46 replies
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I've noticed that around the forums all people are concentrated on are the specifics of the IA's and how to do them and what is expected off of them, but I can't help but wonder how come no one ever gets stuck on math problems. For example, I remember back in 9th grade when i was taking Pre-IB Pre-calculus that there were some things that were just really hard to understand. And since IB isn't the most open curriculum out there, I went on to take AP math classes (which are INRCREDIBLY better than any IB math class) Right now i'm in 11th and i'm taking Calculus IV (differential equations here in Florida), so if you guys have any questions about calculus that maybe you dont…
Last reply by Holy Moly, -
- 42 replies
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Well what do you think people? when have you achieved a fairly good result? I got 17 points on mine, and I don't know if I shall be happy or sad about it... And what grad does 17 points coronspond to in the 1-7 system? cheers comrads!
Last reply by Lance H, -
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So I have to hand in my portfolio this friday... but I DON'T HAVE A CLUE if I'm doing it right because my teacher believes we have some kind of mighty power to solve it without previous instruction. but well that is not the point.. I guess I've got to work it out, and I looked in google for any old sl maths portfolio example, but I was not able to find anything useful Soo... can someone be kind enough to send me or to post any old or an example of a math portfolio type 1 and 2 PLEASEE!!!
Last reply by JoeG, -
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- 10.3k views
Does anyone know where can we get IB Maths SL/HL SPECIMEN papers of 2009/2010 ??
Last reply by IB SURVIVOR, -
- 4 replies
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I have had some people tell me it's basically an AS-Level in maths, while Maths HL is A2. I have had some people tell me it's halfway between AS-Level in maths, while Maths HL is A2 + AS Further Maths. I have had some people tell me it's approximately more or less an A2 in Maths, while Maths HL is A2 + Further Maths. So which of these approximations are closest to correct, guys? Or are none of them close enough? I need to know, because LSE is being ambiguous with its IB requirements, and basically require an A2 in Maths for this one degree, and I don't know if Maths SL will suffice. Also, a side question: Is Maths Studies basically GCSE level then?
Last reply by Arrowhead, -
Maths Textbooks 1 2 3
by Guest bennyb- 47 replies
- 10.1k views
I dont know about anyone else, but are the maths textbooks you use way harder than what you get tested on? Our school gives us one by a guy called Fabio and its so much harder than any IB past paper ive done. I suppose thats good but what are other books like?
Last reply by Tiara Angel, -
- 35 replies
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Hey guys I'm starting IB real soon and I was comtemplating on whether to buy the TI-nspire or the TI-84+ SE. What's the difference in these two calc besides memory ROM? Can you get those handy 'apps' avl for the TI-84+ on the TI-nspire? I will be using the ti84+ keypad on the nspire, but do you think it'll be hard to cope up with anyone using the ti-84/83? Is the TI-nspire permitted in Phy HL & Chem SL? I know it's permitted in Math. I'm pretty new here lol. My main concern was that the TI84+ SE doesn't support Calculus or AP Phy. This comparison chart says TI-Nspire does. I would like to know which calc you recommend. I have no plans of doing AP Calc/Phy, but I want…
Last reply by Slovakov, -
- 16 replies
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We are supposed to reset the RAM or ROM of our calculators before the exams. Now I am not sure about this, but isn't this gonna delete all applications? And that's the next question, because which applications are we allowed to have on our calculator? I only have Finance and PolySmlt, I think especially PolySmlt is useful and I don't want to lose it... So how is this supposed to work?
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
- 3 replies
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Hi guys, Due to various issues, my parents were ready to withdraw me from my current IB school and make me transfer to another school (A level or IB) around the time of the maths IA deadline. They were trying to avoid this but accepted this could be a possibility. I didn't hand in my IA on the deadline day but many people hadn't handed it on the deadline day so the maths dep had extended the deadline. My IA was complete but I didn't hand it in because I didn't want my maths teacher wasting his time marking it for no reason without the knowledge I might not be staying on. I approached my maths teacher and told him I might be transferring schools (because my new school need…
Last reply by carpediem, -
- 20 replies
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Feel free to post your useful calculator functions that are not so obvious to the average user. I know that only recently have I started using my calculator properly and it helps a lot! For those of you who don't know - you can update your calculator to the newest firmware and it contains many new features! Possibly one of my favourite additions is that you don't have to remember the order to input the binompdf(), normalpdf() etc. as it gives you a wizard now!
Last reply by dessskris, -
- 15 replies
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Hello guys. I am currently in the ib dp programme (year 1) and so far I have chosen Chem, Bio and Math as my HLs and Eng Lit, Chinese B and Geo as my SLs. However, I am thinking of switching HL math to SL because it kinda seems too difficult for me. I do enjoy math but I don't absolutely LOVE it but I'm afraid that SL may seem less of a challenge for me. Last year, I took the advanced math option (where you complete gr 10 and 11 math in one year) and I got 90% (Gr. 10) and 87% (Gr.11). In university, I would like to study: sciences (possible med), psychology, humanities. So what do you guys think? Please give me some of your advice and opinions. Oh btw, I'll be taking HL…
Last reply by ib2013grad, -
- 22 replies
- 8.6k views
I have heard from people that IB Math exams are getting easier and easier than before. The syllabus includes less things than before, exam questions are easier, etc. I have also noticed that more recent exam questions are easier. From textbooks, the questions from past papers of the early 1990s are so difficult! Is this true or is what I've heard a bunch of crap?
Last reply by Peachez, -
- 6 replies
- 8.5k views
Is the topic of Euclidean/non-euclidean geometry and the Riemann Sphere too hard of a topic for a Maths SL IA? I was thinking of exploring that in relation to map-making, specifically, finding out how much accuracy/info is lost when map-making (i.e. turning something 3D into 2D). I also want to know if the topic is viable and capable of getting good marks. I was thinking that I could gather satellite data and compare them with various maps (some claim to be 'perfect' or 'near perfect') where I can physically measure the distances.
Last reply by SC2Player, -
- 3 replies
- 8.3k views
Hi all! 你们好~こんにちわ~ It is close to final and I really need to practice more on Math. However, I have already done most question in my book so I am wondering if you have IB maths questionbank? There are plenty of official questions in it which would help me! Thank you very much!
Last reply by Award Winning Boss, -
- 3 replies
- 7.8k views
What should my maths portfolio cover page look oout considering I did the parabola one?
Last reply by kankeel, -
- 5 replies
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Hey guys, I made a post earlier and I did not get any replies. I am really desperate this time. Does anyone know or know somebody who will be able to give me some help on benford's law for my IA. I need to be able to understand the depth of it to write my IA and any help is appreciated. PLEASE ANYONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT IT, REPLY PLEASSSSEEEE Usually it is a topic taught in univeristy classes and commonly in economics! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR HELPING ME OUT (if anyone does....PLEASEEEE..)
Last reply by plshelpibcraz, -
- 35 replies
- 7.7k views
Hi! I'm in my 2nd year of IB and I'm thinking about the possibility of dropping from Maths SL to Studies. I feel that I'm struggling with SL especially with calculus and circular trig but I kinda don't want to drop to Studies as I don't really know what I want to do in Uni and not limit myself. So I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on this and could help me out? Thanks.
Last reply by Cognac, -
- 4 replies
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How are IB internal exams graded? I know that it is 20% of your diploma grade, but what do you mean diploma grade? Is it 20% of your entire senior and junior grade or is it 20% of your IB exam grade? Can someone tell me?
Last reply by Ezeh, -
What do you use to get the technology mark for Portfolio? 1 2
by Guest IB_procrastinator- 27 replies
- 6.7k views
Hi all, What program or softwares do you usually use for your math portfolios? Mathematica? AutoCAD? Anyone knows any handy softwares? In my school, the technology mark is very hard to get. Anyone has any good tips?
Last reply by energetic, -
- 4 replies
- 6.6k views
Hi guys, I am starting to write my math IA on tumor growth modelling and have researched quite a few models on tumor growth. One thing that concerns me that models seem a bit complicated and don't know exactly which models are best for my level of maths. Though I have seen it on the list of suggested topics and I guess it's not high above my level. Please share any ideas and advice, and also good resources you may know about. I would really appreciate this a lot.
Last reply by Highlight, -
- 5 replies
- 6.6k views
So, for the Math IA portfolio's, you need to form a general statement - and the problem I have is as thus: If you're just looking at the assignment and can immediately see a pattern forming, and it seems to be correct - how do you explain that? i.e. do you say "from observations, we can see that ...." or should you just completely avoid that and try and find a proper way to prove it? Thanks in advance
Last reply by dessskris, -
- 6 replies
- 5.9k views
I recently moved down to math studies from math SL. lots of my teacher said i wont be getting into even a decent university, unless Im looking at music,fashion or arts etc.. Im thinking mostly i want to go into business,economics or a combination of business and law. I already tried my best with math SL, I was able to solve all teh questions but when it comes to the examination,i never did good! please do tell me if its possible to get into pretty good uni's with math studies for the above UG programmes. If, yes please do name a few of them. and also, what are all the possible careers you can look into, if we do math studies? this would be of great help.thankyou
Last reply by khimberleigh, -
- 8 replies
- 5.8k views
So next year I am going to be starting the IB diploma program and as of now my schedule is: HL Literature HL History HL Biology SL Math 1, 2 SL Chemistry Spanish 3 (which is SL) This year I had HL math 1,2 and I struggled a bit but did really well. I got a high B first semester and a 95% second semester. Math is one of my least favorite subjects though and the teacher isn't very good. So my question is should I switch into HL 3,4 and keep myself challenged, although the IB diploma in itself is challenging? I just don't feel as if I would be putting myself to my highest potential. Also if you've taken the HL math test how hard is it on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the harde…
Last reply by yii yann, -
- 2 replies
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Hello, I was tutoring a mate of mine and I came across this problem: Area The included angle of the two sides of constant equal length s of an isosceles triangle is theta. a) Show that the area of the triangle is given by A = 1/2s^2 sin(theta). b) If theta is increasing at the rate of 1/2 radian per minute, find the rates of change of the area when theta = pi/6 and theta = pi/3. c) Explain why the rate of change of the area of the triangle is not constant even though dtheta/ dt is constant. I can find a but I can't figure out how to do b and c. Any suggestions as to solve it?
Last reply by Grassroot, -
- 18 replies
- 5.7k views
Hello all! I'd just like to discuss something that I think is important to me and in also everyone else who does Maths Studies. Why do people think Studies is bad? It's not. They say it's an easy course for the 'less-able' students, but this isn't the case. I'd just like to clarify that the Maths Studies course is simply only more statistic-based, without the calculus and etc side of mathematics. It's for people that don't necessarily need complex Maths such as Physics, Mathematics, Economics maybe, etc.. For other things, it's not needed, such as art-careers. Also, it is worth noting that taking Maths Studies is a good opportunity to get a high score and in turn you can …
Last reply by steph237107, -
- 7 replies
- 5.5k views
Hello everyone! As a part of my math ia, I am analysing the pharmacokinetic profile of a drug. A part of the pharmacokinetic profile involves finding the area under the curve of the medication's concentration - time graph. I think this area is meant to represent the total exposure of the drug to the paitent's body. This is what it says online as well. In other words, it would be the total amount of drug absorbed by the body. However, I'm not quite sure how this works, as the units used for the y axis (miligrams of the drug in each litre of drug - mg/L) are completely different from the x axis (time in hours or minutes). Multiplying these units would give you (mg*hr)/…
Last reply by hashemalhattab, -
- 17 replies
- 5.4k views
hi I am doing my portfolio.Can you name some math softwares that are free. Is it necessary to use a software when they say use technology? Or is it fine just the calculator and ms-word for typing. Ideally how long does it take to do a portfolio. Thanks
Last reply by 9d9, -
- 6 replies
- 5.4k views
I'm studying from H&H Maths HL book and my teacher sends extra exercises, but I just feel it is not enough. I do all of my homework, but when I come to the test I just fail worse and worse every time - exercises in the test are much harder than in the textbook. Therefore, I decided that I need to learn extra on my own and I have read about this Pearson's HL textbook in IBS. I have read that exercises in it are more difficult so I want it Maybe anyone could tell me where I could get it from? P.S. If you have any other suggestions about extra learning, they would be very welcomed.
Last reply by pennywise256,