How to find a math IA topic step by step. | IB Math

In this video we're going to talk about how to find a math IA topic. The Internal Assessment for IB Math is often one of the hardest things you'll have to do because you've never written an essay in a math class before.

I'll talk to you about how to generate a great idea to boost and maximize your personal engagement by walking you through a brainstorming process I do with my students in the classroom. I'll also give you four bonus questions that you can ask yourself to help further clarify your Math IA Topic.

Thank you to one of the great teachers I've had the opportunity to teach with, Veronica B because the IA idea generation process that we talk about here is based off a process she used to do with her SL Math Studies course before IB changed to the Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation curriculum.

This process should work for either SL AA or SL AI and even has a lot of potential to help my Higher Level IB Math friends out there.

It's not an easy process to get a good idea. There are no shortcuts in life. But if this was helpful, let me know in the comments below.

Check out my YouTube channel "Like a Math Class"

#IBMath #MathIA #MathInternalAssessment #IATopics

Legal Disclaimer: This video/channel is not affiliated with or sponsored by the International Baccalaureate. It is a channel based on my 10+ years of teaching IB SL Math. While I believe that with the right amount of time, effort and studying strategies, anyone has the potential to earn a 5 on their IB Math exam, individual results may vary.

[LikeAMathClass]

Here are some deeper dives into the different types of IA topics you might be interested in doing:

[wildcatasexton]

Do you have any other videos about the IA? We watched this one yesterday and it was really helpful to get my kids thinking about their topics without trying to fit it into some mathematics topic versus an interest of theirs.

[patronus]

Hey great video!!

im taking math HL (AIHL), and i have two topics in mind. Could you tell me which is better?

TOPIC 1 -Finding the velocity of the shuttlecock upon a smash, and the angle of contact with the racket.
TOPIC 2- Analyzing the Impact of Racket Dynamics on Shuttlecock Velocity in Badminton
(seeing how smashes from different parts of a racket change velocity)

THANKYOU

[Aurora-je]

But it's hard because I don't do any sports, the only thing I do outside of school is read, go on Pinterest and occasionally go to the gym (I'm not great though)... Besides that, I don't feel like I'm that good at anything.

[rayaansingh]

Thank you for this video I found it very helpful.

I have two research questions in mind for my IA. Could I please get some advice on which one would be better?

What is the shape and volume of different Formula 1 tires and how does it help it achieve its purpose?
How does different downforce setups in Formula 1 cars affect the acceleration patterns in an Formula 1 circuit?

Thanks!

[罗米-tv]

Thank you for the video!
I am writing an IA topic proposal and the main topics I am debating between is graph theory or finding the fractal dimension of neurons in the brain from an image through box counting. But I'm not sure if the research question of "What is the fractal dimension of neurons in the brain" would be too straightforward?
Thank you for your help!

[randomwords]

hey! deadline is tomorrow and I just watched your video. I didn't have time to do anything else but please let me know if this is good.
How do the accessories of swimming play a role/contribute in perfecting a dive?

[JoyceYam-fl]

Hi, and thank you for the video!
I'm taking SL AA math, and I was wondering if you could give me some advice on my ia topic?

I was thinking of doing a mathematical proof of the flaws in democratic voting according to arrow's impossibility theorem, and this topic connects graph theory, combinatorics, matrix algebra and game theory. I'm really worried this topic lacks in the components of mathematics, as it does not include graphing any kinds of functions or using calculus, and I'm wondering if you think this could still be a strong IA topic?

[KKkKKmaster]

hey, I really like ur video and I got an idea. do you think is this good research question?
“ What is the winning rate of the strongest hand(AA) and the weakest hand(2, 7offsuit) in heads up of Texas holdem?”

[parsaebrahimi]

hey! thank you so much for the video, I came up with a topic and tried to relate to sports particularly tennis which Im passionate about. but I feel like it might be too simple or short. do you think it is good enough or should I come up with a better one? can you assist me on this please? I'd really appreciate it. "Analyzing the Impact of Tennis Racket Characteristics on Player Performance: A Probability-Based Approach"

[peiling]

Thank you for your video.
I am taking Math AA HL, and I want to do mainly statistics in my IA. I read many samples and many of them used t-test, which I also find interesting. However, I found that t-test is not in my textbook or the IB guide. Was it removed from the IB math syllabus? Or, if it is not in the syllabus, can I still use it in my IA?

[giggukbangbangbang]

is there any way to link martial arts, preferably muay thai, to my math ia? I genuinely can't think of one that is realistically possible for a typical high schooler to do

[artist.george]

Hello,
I don’t understand how to make sure that the topic that I’m choosing will satisfy criterion E for my math HL, that I will have necessary level of sophistication and difficulty in my mathematics
maybe you have some tips?
thank you in advance!

[HaroldPinzon]

Hey I am writing a math ia in my aa class. Could you please check it out and let me know if it's acceptable?
"To what extent can diverse playing styles among soccer forwards optimize goal-scoring efficiency?"

[m.m.a]

Do you think this is a good research question for the math IA "Investigating different mathematical methods to measure the growth of cancer cells."