Mathematics HL, Mathematics SL, Mathematical Studies SL

All IB students must take one of the three Mathematics courses offered. To complete a mathematical course with success, the following elements are helpful:

  • A sense of the beauty, fun and enjoyment of Mathematics
  • Mathematical ability - suitable to the course
  • Mathematical background - from previous schooling
  • A persistent effort throughout the programme

All Mathematics teachers are experienced and dedicated teachers of the IB Mathematics programme. All students are issued with a textbook covering the course. Written assignments involving past exam questions are set and marked regularly and students are tested at least once a term. Near to final exams all students are supplied with Past Paper questions and solutions and a good deal of teaching time is spent going through exam questions to practise for the written examinations.

The three course levels:

Mathematics HL

A challenging course that to a high degree requires all the four ingredients mentioned above. The course is designed for students planning to study a subject where a high level of mathematics is required, e.g. engineering, surveying, physics or mathematics, but may also be studied for love of pure mathematics.

Everything listed below under Mathematics SL is studied in more depth, and in addition, the course includes:

  • Algebra: Proof by induction, partial fractions, complex numbers
  • Geometry: Vector products, planes in three dimensions
  • Statistics and probability: Bayes' theorem, Poisson distribution
  • Calculus: Oblique asymptotes, integration by parts, differential equations by substitution of variables
  • One optional topic. Choose from Statistics and Probability; Sets, Relations and Groups; Series and Differential Equations; Discrete Mathematics

Mathematics SL

A course requiring a fair mathematical ability and background, meant for students planning to study a subject where mathematics is required, e.g. economics, biology, medicine or geography.

The course includes:

  • Algebra: Logarithms, binomial theorem
  • Geometry: Trigonometry, vectors, matrices
  • Statistics and probability: 1- and 2-variable statistics, laws of probability, random variables, expected value and variance, binomial and normal distribution
  • Calculus: Differentiation, chain rule, tangents and normals, horizontal and vertical asymptotes, curve sketching, optimisation, integration, areas, volumes

Mathematical Studies SL

A course requiring some background in algebra and trigonometry, designed to give the students the essential mathematical tools that are indispensable in our modern technological society.

The course includes:

  • Logic: Symbolic logic, truth tables
  • Geometry: Trigonometry, lines
  • Statistics and probability: 1- and 2-variable statistics, Chi square test, laws of probability, normal distribution
  • Introductory calculus: Differentiation of polynomial, tangents, minimum and maximum turning points
  • Number: Indices, Currency, interest, sequences, series
  • Mathematical Models

Calculators

At all three levels, a graphic display calculator (GDC) is required from the start of the programme to the final exam. All students are requested to purchase one before teaching commences. We base our teaching on

  • Texas Instruments model TI-84 (or any of its variants, including TI-83)

Calculators with computer algebra systems (CAS), e.g. TI-89, Casio ClassPad, or any Hewlett Packard GDC, are not allowed in the exams.

Assessment

At all three levels, the final IB mark is based 20% on internal assessment and 80% on exams.

20% internal assessment Internally assessed work done during the two-year programme

Mathematics HL, Mathematics SL:

Each student submits a portfolio consisting of two papers:

  • A mathematical investigation
  • A mathematical modelling task
Mathematical Studies SL:
  • Each student writes a project of up to 2000 words

80% exams

The final exams consist of two or three written tests

Mathematics HL:

  • Paper 1: A 2-hour non-calculator exam in the core syllabus
  • Paper 2: A 2-hour test in the core syllabus, with the use of a graphical display calculator
  • Paper 3: A 1-hour test similar to paper 2, but involving the chosen optional topic
Mathematics SL
  • Paper 1: A 1½-hour non-calculator exam
  • Paper 2: A 1½-hour test with the use of a graphical display calculator optional topic
Mathematical Studies SL:
  • Paper 1: A 1½-hour test with 15 short questions
  • Paper 2: A 1½-hour test with 6 long questions, which require mathematical reasoning with use of a graphical display calculator