Are you starting to write your Mathematics IA and you’re unsure what should it be like? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered! Read this post to find out about the page count and structure of the Math AA and AI exploration.
Mathematics IA is an investigation of a chosen topic using mathematical methods and theories from the IB course. There is no page or word limit. However based on the thousands of reviewed IAs we suggest that your exploration should be 12 to 20 pages long to ensure that it is concise and focused. The recommended format is font size 12 and double spacing. The investigation should be divided into 3 main sections: introduction, main body, and conclusion, which can be further subdivided.
Start your IA by introducing the background of your study and clearly stating and explaining the topic of your investigation. This section should also describe the approach to investigating the topic and what area of curriculum it relates to. One of the assessment criteria for this IA is personal engagement, thus it should be mentioned how it corresponds to your area of interest or why you chose to examine this specific subject. We advise you to devote around 2 pages for the introduction.
Check this to get a glimpse of the matter.
The longest section of your IA will be the main body meaning the exploration itself. It should begin with explaining the methodology and its choice. Next, you employ this methodology to investigate the topic. It is important to use appropriate mathematical language, define key terms and variables, and make use of multiple forms of mathematical representation, such as formulae, diagrams, tables, charts, graphs, and models. Remember to explain all the stages and draw conclusions from the obtained results. You should search for tendencies, patterns but also anomalies, if they occur. The core part of your math report should take up to 16 pages since the majority of points you can get are assigned to this section.
See the usage of different methods of mathematical representation here.
In the conclusion of around 2 pages, you state the answer to the investigated topic based on the conducted analysis. You should also reflect on what you have learned and what are the implications of the obtained results. Next, consider the limitations of the applied methodology or compare different mathematical approaches and perspectives towards solving the topic. It is also suggested to provide possible extensions of the investigation.
See this exemplar for inspiration.
If you need more guidance check out other available Mathematics IAs on the Clastify website and refer to them while writing your investigation. Don’t forget about our blog where you can find other useful publications. Good luck!