International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief: Mathematics: Mathematical Studies - Standard Level

International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme Subject Brief

Mathematics:
Mathematical studies – Standard level
First assessments 2014 – Last assessments 2020
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous, academically challenging and balanced

programme of education designed to prepare students aged 16 to 19 for success at
university and life beyond. The DP aims to encourage students to be knowledgeable,
inquiring, caring and compassionate, and to develop intercultural understanding,
open-mindedness and the attitudes necessary to respect and evaluate a range of
viewpoints.
To ensure both breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, students must
choose at least one subject from five groups: 1) their best language, 2) additional
language(s), 3) social sciences, 4) experimental sciences, and 5) mathematics. Students
may choose either an arts subject from group 6, or a second subject from groups
1 to 5. At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at higher level (240
recommended teaching hours), while the remaining are taken at standard level (150
recommended teaching hours). In addition, three core elements—the extended essay,
theory of knowledge and creativity, action, service—are compulsory and central to the
philosophy of the programme.
These IB DP subject briefs illustrate four key course components.

I. Course description and aims III. Assessment model
II. Curriculum model overview IV. Sample questions
I. Course description and aims • appreciate the international dimension in mathematics through
an awareness of the universality of mathematics and its multicul-
The IB DP mathematical studies standard level (SL) course focuses on tural and historical perspectives
important interconnected mathematical topics. The syllabus focuses on: • appreciate the contribution of mathematics to other disciplines,
placing more emphasis on student understanding of fundamental con- and as a particular “area of knowledge” in the TOK course.
cepts than on symbolic manipulation and complex manipulative skills;
giving greater emphasis to developing students’ mathematical reason- II. Curriculum model overview
ing rather than performing routine operations; solving mathematical
problems embedded in a wide range of contexts; using the calculator
effectively. There is an emphasis on applications of mathematics and Component Recommended
statistical techniques. It is designed to offer students with varied math- teaching hours
ematical backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to learn important Topic 1 20
concepts and techniques and to gain an understanding of a wide variety Numbers and algebra
of mathematical topics, preparing them to solve problems in a variety of Topic 2 12
settings, develop more sophisticated mathematical reasoning and en- Descriptive statistics
hance their critical thinking.
Topic 3 20
The aims of all DP mathematics courses are to enable students to: Logic, sets and probability
• enjoy and develop an appreciation of the elegance and power of Topic 4 17
mathematics Statistical application
• develop an understanding of the principles and nature of mathematics
Topic 5 18
• communicate clearly and confidently in a variety of contexts
Geometry and trigonometry
• develop logical, critical and creative thinking, and patience and
persistence in problem-solving Topic 6 20
• employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization Mathematical models
• apply and transfer skills to alternative situations, to other areas of Topic 7 18
knowledge and to future developments Introduction to different calculus
• appreciate how developments in technology and mathematics
Project 25
have influenced each other
An individual piece of work involving the collection
• appreciate the moral, social and ethical implications arising from
of information or the generation of measurements,
the work of mathematicians and the applications of mathematics
and subsequent the analysis and evaluation.
© International Baccalaureate Organization 2014

International Baccalaureate® | Baccalauréat International® | Bachillerato Internacional®
III. Assessment model IV. Sample questions
Having followed the mathematical studies SL course, students will be • A liquid is heated so that after 20 seconds of heating its tempera-
expected to demonstrate the following: ture, T, is 25 °C and after 50 seconds of heating its temperature is
37 °C. The temperature of the liquid at time t can be modelled by
• Knowledge and understanding: recall, select and use knowledge of T = at + b, where t is the time in seconds after the start of heating.
mathematical facts, concepts and techniques in a variety of contexts.
• Problem-solving: recall, select and use knowledge of mathematical Using this model one equation that can be formed is 20a + b = 25
skills, results and models to solve problems. A. Using the model, write down a second equation in a and b.
• Communication and interpretation: transform common realistic B. Using your graphic display calculator or otherwise, find the val-
contexts into mathematics; comment on the context; create math- ue of a and of b.
ematical diagrams, graphs or constructions; record methods, solu- C. Use the model to predict the temperature of the liquid 60 sec-
tions and conclusions using standardized notation. onds after the start of heating.
• Technology: use technology accurately, appropriately and efficiently
to explore new ideas and to solve problems. • Yun Bin invests 5000 euros in an account which pays a nominal an-
• Reasoning: construct mathematical arguments through use of pre- nual interest rate of 6.25 %, compounded monthly. Give all answers
cise statements, logical deduction and inference, and by the manip- correct to two decimal places.
ulation of mathematical expressions.
• Investigative approaches: investigate unfamiliar situations involving Find
organizing and analysing information or measurements, drawing A. the value of the investment after 3 years;
conclusions, testing their validity, and considering their scope and B. the difference in the final value of the investment if the
limitations. interest was compounded quarterly at the same nominal rate.
Assessment at a glance
Type of Format of Time Weighting
assessment assessment (hours) of final
grade (%)
External 3 80
Paper 1 15 compulsory short-re- 1.5 40
(graphical sponse questions based on
display the whole syllabus.
calculator
required)
Paper 2 6 compulsory extended-re- 1.5 40
(graphical sponse questions based on
display the whole syllabus.
calculator
required)
Internal 20
Project An individual piece of work 20
involving the collection of
information or the genera-
tion of measurements, and
subsequent analysis and
evaluation.
About the IB: For over 40 years the IB has built a reputation for high-quality, challenging programmes of education that develop internationally
minded young people who are well prepared for the challenges of life in the 21st century and able to contribute to creating a better, more
peaceful world.
For further information on the IB Diploma Programme, visit: http://www.ibo.org/diploma/ Complete subject guides can be accessed through
the IB Online Curriculum Center (OCC), the IB university and government official system, or purchased through the IB store: http://store.ibo.org
To learn more about how the IB Diploma Programme prepares students for success at university, visit: www.ibo.org/recognition or
email: recognition@ibo.org

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief: Mathematics: Mathematical Studies - Standard Level

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief: Mathematics: Mathematical Studies - Standard Level

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief: Mathematics: Mathematical Studies - Standard Level

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

International Baccalaureate

Diploma Programme Subject Brief

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous, academically challenging and balanced

These IB DP subject briefs illustrate four key course components.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2014

You might also like