Criterion A: The body of the work is further subdivided so that phases of the exploration are clearly indicated.

Criterion A: The topic of the Internal assessment is stated clearly and explained in the introduction

Comment: The research question is stated on the title page. Then, the aim was stated in the introduction.

Criterion A: The topic of the Internal assessment is stated clearly and explained in the introduction

Comment: The research question is stated on the title page. Then, the aim was stated in the introduction.

Criterion A: The introduction includes a general description of the student's approach to the topic and what area of the math curriculum the exploration focuses on

Comment: The student claimed the investigation revolves around calculus, parametric representations of curves, and cartesian geometry.

Criterion A: The introduction includes a general description of the student's approach to the topic and what area of the math curriculum the exploration focuses on

Comment: The student claimed the investigation revolves around calculus, parametric representations of curves, and cartesian geometry.

Criterion A: The conclusion is a summary of the outcomes and a response to the aim of the exploration stated in the introduction

Comment: The research question was "What is the trajectory that minimizes the radiation received by a spacecraft performing a flyby around a star?". The first sentence should have been the direct answer to this question. The student could have also recalled the aim beforehand.

Criterion A: The conclusion is a summary of the outcomes and a response to the aim of the exploration stated in the introduction

Comment: In the conclusion section, the student should have referred to the numerical values obtained in the study.

Criterion A: The use of technology, when applied, is clearly indicated and explained

Comment: The use of Mathematica was indicated. The software was used to compute complex equations (but it failed in doing so).

Criterion A: The use of technology, when applied, is clearly indicated and explained

Comment: The use of Mathematica was indicated. The software was used to compute complex equations (but it failed in doing so).

Criterion A: If analytical software is used, its purpose is described and the link to it is provided

Comment: The student indicated the use of Desmos. However, the citation is missing. The student should have properly cited the software using the footnote.

Criterion A: If analytical software is used, its purpose is described and the link to it is provided

Comment: The student indicated the use of Wolfram Mathematica. However, the citation is missing. The student should have properly cited the software using the footnote.

Criterion A: The exploration is 12-20 pages long (excluding the bibliography and appendices)

Comment: The exploration is 18 pages long + a bibliography on the 19th page.

Criterion A: All information outside of the syllabus scope is referenced <i style='font-size: 11px'>(using footnotes or in-text citations)</i>

Comment: Eccentricity is defined but the citation was not provided. The student should have provided a citation.

Criterion B: Computer notation is present only if software-generated (clear indication necessary)

Comment: The student inserted some text using computer notation, which is unnecessary, and the purpose of doing it was not provided. The student should have typed all text using one font unless justified (e.g. the headings can be typed using a different font but consistently).

Criterion B: The student used a deductive method and set out logical proofs where appropriate

Comment: The student used a deductive method and set out logical proofs where appropriate - no issues were found regarding this criterion.

Criterion B: Key terms/variables are defined and explained when first introduced

Comment: The mathematical formulae that are key to this investigation are shown in the "Mathematical introduction to the problem" section.

Criterion B: The main concepts are described in the introduction

Comment: The main concepts, such as eccentricity and hyperbola, are defined in the introduction alongside appropriate citations when necessary.

Criterion B: The main concepts are described in the introduction

Comment: The main concepts, such as eccentricity and hyperbola, are defined in the introduction alongside appropriate citations when necessary.

Criterion B: Additional terms are defined in detail in appropriate places (dependent on the development of the exploration)

Comment: The diagrams are clearly labeled, so all important aspects are displayed

Criterion B: Additional terms are defined in detail in appropriate places (dependent on the development of the exploration)

Comment: The diagrams are clearly labeled, so all important aspects are displayed

Criterion B: All mathematical calculations are explained and any data presentation is described

Comment: When presenting the equations or performing calculations, the student explained necessary terms and posed necessary premises. The student explained the calculations they were performing. No shortcuts were spotted.

Criterion B: The student used a deductive method and set out logical proofs where appropriate

Comment: The student used a deductive method and set out logical proofs where appropriate - no issues were found regarding this criterion.

Criterion B: Computer notation is present only if software-generated (clear indication necessary)

Comment: The student inserted some text using computer notation, which is unnecessary, and the purpose of doing it was not provided. The student should have typed all text using one font unless justified (e.g. the headings can be typed using a different font but consistently).

Criterion B: The graphs, tables, and diagrams are labeled (titled and numbered) at the bottom

Comment: The label is separated from the graph by some text but it is incorrect. All figures should have been labeled underneath.

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