BIS Mathematics Program – IBDP: Using Mathematics as a tool

by BIS / 2022.01.07 Friday / Published in NEWS, news & event

The students’ progress in mathematics is a sequential process and a journey. At BIS, we support students with their mathematics learning journey from the beginning in Early Years through to their senior years in IB Diploma.

Today, we’ve got the chance to talk with our DP mathematics teachers and students. They are going to share with us a little bit about their opinions on DP mathematics.

What’s the main difference between DP mathematics and mathematics in other curricula?

In DP, students are being cultivated as mathematicians. The focus is not only on acquainting the knowledge, practicing the skills and dealing with tests, rather, but the major goal of DP mathematics is also to lay a high-level academics foundation of being able to use all kinds of ‘tools’ and even create their own ‘tools’. We want students to begin to think like mathematicians and make effective use of the methods and tools available to them in real life situations.

What’s the difference between the two DP mathematics subject: AA (analysis and approaches) and AI (applications and interpretation)?

Depending on their ambitions and future development, students are able to choose from two different courses in Group 5: Mathematics, that is AA (analysis and approaches) and AI (applications and interpretation).

Both courses cover the same 5 topics within mathematics but with varying emphasis in each area: number and algebra, functions, geometry and trigonometry, statics and probability, and calculus.

AA (analysis and approaches)

For students interested in mathematics, engineering, physical sciences and economics, AA is recommended as its emphasis on pure mathematics, algebraic methods and developing strong skills in mathematical thinking and abstract mathematical problem solving.

AI (applications and interpretation)

For students interested in social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, statistics, business, engineering, psychology and design, AI is recommended for its emphasis on modelling and statistics. AI also develops strong skills in applying mathematics to the real-world and problem-solving using technology.

What is IA (Internal Assessment)?

DP mathematics Internal Assessment is a mathematical exploration on a chosen topic. It is a piece of written work that contributes 20% of the final IB Diploma mathematics grade. The IBO recommend that it is 6-12 pages in length, which means students have to write an essay about a real situation problem and its mathematics solution, within an academic research context.

A lot of students feel quite challenged with the skills needed for the IA, especially those new to the IB approaches. However, it is an authentic IB experience with an aim to cultivate the mind and to develop the lifelong learners.

Below are some parts of an IA from one of our graduates.

We believe that after their two years of DP journey, students will develop mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles that are useful to them. Furthermore, their mathematical thinking will become a habit that we believe is integral to future study.

BIS Mathematics Program – IBDP: Using Mathematics as a tool

BIS Mathematics Program – IBDP: Using Mathematics as a tool

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