Ultimate Guide to Acing Your Math AA IA (SL/HL)
Whether you’re modeling penalty kicks with parabolas ⚽️📈 or investigating exponential decay in your favorite video game 🎮, your Math AA IA is your chance to explore real-world mathematics and show off your skills beyond textbook drills.
But let’s be real: writing a strong IA can feel like proving Fermat’s Last Theorem 😅. That’s why we’ve broken it all down into a crystal-clear, examiner-aligned structure to help you aim for a 7. Let’s dive in! 🏊♂️
🎯 What Is the Math AA IA?
A 12–20 page individual exploration where you investigate a math concept of interest, apply it in a meaningful context, and show deep understanding—not just calculator wizardry.
🔍 Your goals:
- Ask your own question about a math concept
- Investigate it deeply using appropriate math
- Reflect critically on the process and outcome
- Present it clearly, logically, and personally
Your IA is assessed on five criteria worth 20 marks:
- Presentation (4)
- Mathematical Communication (4)
- Personal Engagement (3)
- Reflection (3)
- Use of Mathematics (6)
We’ll guide you through each as we build your IA. 📈
🧱 Structure Breakdown
🔖 Title Page
- Title of the exploration (specific, focused)
- Number of pages
✅ Example: “Modelling the Growth of Bacterial Colonies Using Logistic Functions”
❌ Avoid: “Functions in Biology” (Too vague!)
💡 Why It Matters (Criterion A - Presentation): A focused title reflects a clear purpose and helps you stay on track. It’s your first chance to show you’ve structured the exploration thoughtfully.
🧭 Introduction (Covers Criteria A, C, D)
This is your why. Introduce the topic, your aim, and why it’s meaningful to you. Make the examiner care.
✅ Good intro:
"This exploration investigates how logistic functions can model bacterial population growth, inspired by my volunteer work at a biology lab where I observed bacteria under different conditions."
❌ Weak intro:
"This IA will look at graphs."
🛠️ Action Tip: Explain what led you to this topic. Was it a hobby, personal experience, or curiosity? Show the spark 💥 behind your question.
🎯 Criteria Highlights:
- Presentation – Clear aim and structure
- Personal Engagement – Shows authentic interest
- Reflection – Starts framing your learning journey
🧠 Background Mathematics (Hits Criteria B & E)
Time to teach your reader! Introduce and explain the key math you’ll use in your own words.
✅ Good example:
"The logistic function, $L(t) = \frac{K}{1 + Ae^{-rt}}$, models population growth with a carrying capacity. I’ll explore how this function behaves and apply it to a real dataset."
❌ Bad example:
"I found this equation online."
🛠️ Action Tip: For each concept, define the equation, break down its components, and explain why it applies to your topic. Add a graph and label it clearly.
🎯 Criteria Highlights:
- Mathematical Communication – Use precise language and visuals
- Use of Mathematics – Explain concepts deeply and accurately
🔍 Investigation & Application (Heavyweight: E, B, D)
Here’s where the magic happens—modeling, problem solving, and analyzing.
✅ Strong Structure Includes:
- Step-by-step development of your model
- Manual calculations AND tech-generated outputs (explained!)
- Reasoning behind each decision (e.g. why you chose a certain function)
🆚 Comparison Example:
❌ Student A: Graphs in Desmos, pastes screenshot, no explanation
✅ Student B: Graphs in Desmos, explains each parameter and fit, reflects on errors and anomalies
🛠️ Action Tip: After every calculation or graph, write 1–2 sentences explaining what it means and why it matters. Don't assume the reader “gets it”—walk them through your thinking.
🎯 Criteria Highlights:
- Use of Mathematics – Must be accurate and relevant
- Mathematical Communication – Label and explain clearly
- Reflection – Acknowledge what’s working and what’s not
💬 Interpretation & Results (Strong Focus on D & E)
This is where you connect your results to your aim.
✅ Effective Interpretation:
"While the exponential model fit early data, it predicted unrealistic growth after day 20. A logistic model provided a better long-term fit due to its built-in carrying capacity."
❌ Weak Interpretation:
"It kind of worked."
🛠️ Action Tip: For every result, ask yourself:
- What does this tell me?
- How does it support or challenge my model?
- What real-world implications can I draw?
🎯 Criteria Highlights:
- Reflection – Show critical thinking about your outcome
- Use of Mathematics – Discuss limitations of your approach
🔄 Conclusion (Ties Together A, C, D)
Wrap it up like a pro:
- Restate your aim and whether you achieved it
- Highlight the key mathematical takeaways
- Reflect on personal learning and growth
✅ Great Conclusion:
"This exploration deepened my appreciation for the power of functions to model complex systems. It also helped me recognize the importance of interpreting mathematical outcomes within real-world limits."
🛠️ Action Tip: Make sure your conclusion doesn’t just summarize but reflects on your mathematical thinking. What surprised you? What would you do differently?
🎯 Criteria Highlights:
- Reflection – Personal insight and evaluation
- Presentation – Coherent closing of the loop
📚 References & Appendix
- Use a consistent citation style
- Place raw data, long tables, or extra visuals here
📌 Plagiarism = zero marks. Be honest, cite everything you use, and explain ideas in your own voice.
🧠 Examiner-Backed Pro Tips ✨
🔥 From a senior Math AA examiner:
- ✅ Use active explanations: After every formula or graph, write “This shows that…” and complete the sentence.
- ✅ Teach your topic to a friend. If they can follow, your writing is clear enough.
- ✅ Check for logic jumps. Every math step should be justified—not just calculated.
- ❌ Don’t paste output without commentary. Say what the numbers mean.
- ✅ Weave in YOU. Connect back to your motivation or what you found surprising to boost Criterion C.
🚫 Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- ❌ Choosing a topic that's too broad (e.g., “sports and math”)
- ❌ Using fancy math without explaining it
- ❌ Copying steps from a website without showing your own reasoning
- ❌ Forgetting to reflect—this isn’t just about results!
- ❌ Treating tech as magic—explain every graph, table, or output
💡 Final Thoughts
Your IA isn’t about the most difficult math—it’s about using relevant math effectively. Choose a topic you genuinely enjoy and explore it deeply.
Be curious. Be clear. Be mathematical. You’ve got this! 💪
👉 Want a checklist to make sure your IA is ready to go? Just ask!