How to choose your Maths IA topic

The Maths IA accounts for a big chunk of your final score (20%). Plus, if you do well, these points are in the bag before entering the exam hall.

You can see why it is worth putting in the effort to choose the right Maths IA subject, right?

But, like many students, it is common to struggle to choose the best topic.

Fear not!  We are here to help.  Click here to reach our IB Maths tutors for help with your IA or just the topic choice and question to allow you to get the best grade possible.

Like our tutor Joseph, one of our IB Maths experienced tutors. In this article, he takes you through the steps you need to follow in choosing the best Maths IA topic.

But how do you choose the right topic for your Maths IA?

So we know that the IA is an individual piece of research undertaken by the student and requires students to explore an aspect of mathematics at a deeper level. But most importantly, the IA is not a separate project, it is an integral part of your learning.

Actually, you will find that every Maths topic you are learning has the potential to develop an IA topic.

If any of the five topics tickle your mathematical curiosity, you can start working on your IA topic in Grade 11.

However, I recommend starting when you have had a full explanation of the requirements from your class teacher.  But, most importantly, do stick to the deadlines that they give you.

Above all, this is to avoid you becoming overwhelmed by deadlines crashing together in your IB2 year.

Should I use one of the online lists to help me?

Examiners want to see personal interest in an IA.  As a rule, the more individual the topic is, the more care and attention the student puts into the work. So, I would recommend not using one of the published lists.  Because it is on the internet, thousands of students will have looked at them and chosen the same topics.  Think of the poor examiner come marking time!

Also, the subject needs to interest you.  After all, you’ll spend a lot of time working on it.  There may be better ways of selecting an area of mathematical exploration that you will write 6-12 pages about than choosing from someone else’s list.

It shouldn’t be too narrow or too broad.

Sometimes this feels like an impossible balance when choosing a Maths IA topic.  But perhaps this can help.

Your essay must be broad enough to answer all the marking criteria.  So check any potential topics against the in-depth rubric. A simplified version is here below.

Criterion A: Communication

Criterion B: Mathematical presentation

Criterion C: Personal engagement

Criterion D: Reflection

Criterion E: Use of mathematics

 For example, exploring IA topics for Algebra and Number

So I can make this a bit clearer, let’s give you an example of an IA topic below that can be developed while you are studying Algebra & Numbers. At the same time, I have outlined the steps to go through when deciding the best IA Maths topic for you.

Step 1 – Brainstorm IA ideas

When choosing your own IA topic, you can brainstorm potential ideas within the course topics that most interest you.

The binomial theorem is one of the subtopics of Algebra, and so many interesting aspects of the binomial theorem can be explored in much detail.

Binomial theorem – IA options exploration – Brainstorm

  • You could look at Pascal’s triangle and the patterns in Pascal’s triangle to start with.

  • Almost everything in Math can be proved unless it is an axiom. So why not prove the Binomial theorem? The proof of this theorem is an HL topic that uses mathematical induction to prove this result. However, to be able to use mathematical induction, you need to have a conjecture, and you could develop/ form a conjecture which is neither sighted in SL nor in HL. Once a conjecture is formed, you could either use induction or could use Calculus to prove this theorem.

  • You could look at the binomial theorem for rational exponents.

  • De Moivre’s theorem is a binomial case, and it can be seen as applying this theorem within mathematics.

  • If you look at extending binomial expansions to trinomial expansions, you will find some interesting ideas, such as Pascal’s pyramid.

Step 2 – Assessment of the ideas to find the best topic for you

These are some of the questions you can ask yourself.

  • Does it have the potential for mathematical exploration?

  • Is it too easy?

  • Is it too hard – remember, it is often mistakenly thought that the level of Maths needs to be above IB level.  This is not the case.

  • Are you excited about the idea of working on it?

Ensure your chosen idea has a strong link with an area of Maths in your IB syllabus.

Step 3 – Write your research question

Make sure your language is clear and simple.  it won’t be a high-scoring IA just because it sounds complicated! In fact, you might find it pulls down your marks overall.

This means doing in-depth research to assess if the question has the depth required for this length of the essay.

Importantly, this is more than googling around the internet for a few hours.

Go to research papers, mathematical publications, and journals. Keep track of your sources. As citing credible sources in your bibliography, academic honesty is also an important aspect of your IA.

A final thought

IA stimulus could come from other learning disciplines such as Economics, Geography, Physics, Biology, or Sports can be intriguing or appear more exciting. However, based on our experience of over several years as an IB Math HL/ SL tutor, if it’s a Math IA, then it should revolve around Maths. Maths is the main actor. Criteria E: Use of Mathematics with the highest marks among other criteria.

Finally, if you are still feeling lost or confused, why not work with one of our tutors to help find the best IA topic for you?  Here is more information about our IA specialist tutors across all IB subjects.