A step-by-step practice frame for the IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches exploration (the maths IA). Choose a topic you genuinely care about, pose a focused research question, develop sophisticated AA-level mathematics, and reflect critically — with all five assessment criteria and the 12–20 page exploration method built in.
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To cite a source, click “Insert citation” on any entry while a writing box is focused — it drops an in-text citation at your cursor.
This is roughly how your exported DOCX / PDF will read. Use it to rehearse a focused, well-organised exploration that answers your research question.
The IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches exploration — the maths IA — is a 12–20 page written investigation of a mathematical topic of genuine personal interest, internally assessed out of 20. This examiner-written practice frame walks you through the method step by step — choose a topic you actually care about and fix a clear aim, sharpen it into a focused research question narrow enough to explore in depth, plan the shape of the investigation, then develop sophisticated AA-level mathematics (calculus, algebra, functions, trigonometry and proof), communicate it in correct notation with defined variables, and reflect critically on your results, assumptions and limitations. Each step is paired with the five assessment criteria, worked good-and-bad examples and the traps that cost marks, and your draft exports to DOCX or PDF. It is free to start: the planning sections are free, and the later sections are a one-time unlock per tool. Sign in to save your work and sync it across devices.
The exploration is marked across five criteria out of 20: A — Presentation /4 (coherent, organised, concise); B — Mathematical communication /4 (correct notation and terminology, defined variables, used consistently); C — Personal engagement /3 (genuine, independent interest and initiative); D — Reflection /3 (meaningful, critical reflection on results and method); E — Use of mathematics /6 (relevant, correct, and for top marks sophisticated mathematics commensurate with the course). Top-mark explorations investigate a focused question the student genuinely cares about, carry out correct and sophisticated mathematics themselves, write in precise mathematical notation, and reflect critically rather than restating the answer.
The whole exploration is built around a focused research question — narrow enough to explore in depth with appropriate Analysis & Approaches mathematics. Treat it as a genuine investigation: introduce and define the functions and techniques you need, carry out the calculus, algebra or proof yourself rather than quoting results, ground claims in correct notation and labelled graphs, and keep returning to the question. Then reflect critically as results emerge — evaluating fit, assumptions, limitations and extensions — because Use of mathematics and Reflection together carry most of the marks.
The Maths AA exploration tool is free to start: the planning sections are free, and the later sections are a one-time unlock per tool. You sign in to save your work to your own account and sync it across devices. The frame and its guidance are written by experienced IB educators.