IB Mathematics · Topic list · Page 16

510 topic ideas for the Mathematics IA and Extended Essay – page 16.

25 topics per page for faster mobile loading; search and filters cover all 510 ideas.

Page 16 of 21

Topic ideas 376 to 400 of 510.

Every title is followed by two sentences explaining the investigation and possible use of differential calculus, integral calculus, statistics or probability. When used, search and filters automatically cover the complete catalogue.

Planning guidance, not official topic approvalThe IA, EE, AA, Math AI, SL and HL classifications are editorial guidance. The current subject guide, assessment session, mathematical depth, focus and school approval remain decisive.
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Page 16: topics 376–400 of 510

Mixed topic list for the Mathematics IA and Mathematics Extended Essay
No. Topic idea A C P M S
376 Baking & food modelsFlour type and its effect on cake volume and pore structure

The investigation examines how “Flour type and its effect on cake volume and pore structure” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 236713 1
377 Baking & food modelsNumber of eggs and its effect on sponge-cake height, elasticity and mass loss

The investigation examines how “Number of eggs and its effect on sponge-cake height, elasticity and mass loss” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 236713 1
378 Baking & food modelsWater-to-milk ratio and its effect on bread baking time and moisture loss

The investigation examines how “Water-to-milk ratio and its effect on bread baking time and moisture loss” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 236713 1
379 Baking & food modelsBaking-powder quantity and its effect on batter volume, pore size and final height

The investigation examines how “Baking-powder quantity and its effect on batter volume, pore size and final height” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 236713 1
380 Baking & food modelsButter, margarine or oil: comparing pastry spread and surface properties

The investigation examines how “Butter, margarine or oil: comparing pastry spread and surface properties” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 236713 1
381 Baking & food modelsOptimising ingredient ratios for maximum baked volume with minimum mass loss

The investigation examines how “Optimising ingredient ratios for maximum baked volume with minimum mass loss” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 236713 1
382 Baking & food modelsOven temperature and its effect on core temperature, baking time and final height

The investigation examines how “Oven temperature and its effect on core temperature, baking time and final height” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 2346713 1
383 Baking & food modelsOven temperature and browning: colour analysis of the surface during baking

The investigation examines how “Oven temperature and browning: colour analysis of the surface during baking” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 2346713 1
384 Baking & food modelsConstant or staged oven temperature: comparing volume and moisture loss

The investigation examines how “Constant or staged oven temperature: comparing volume and moisture loss” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 2346713 1
385 Baking & food modelsRack position and its effect on temperature distribution and baking outcome

The investigation examines how “Rack position and its effect on temperature distribution and baking outcome” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 2346713 1
386 Baking & food modelsPreheating duration and its effect on baking time, energy demand and product size

The investigation examines how “Preheating duration and its effect on baking time, energy demand and product size” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 2346713 1
387 Baking & food modelsConvection or conventional heat: comparing baking time, surface and energy use

The investigation examines how “Convection or conventional heat: comparing baking time, surface and energy use” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 2346713 1
388 Ice & heat transferSurface-area-to-volume ratio and ice-cube melting time

The investigation examines how “Surface-area-to-volume ratio and ice-cube melting time” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 12346713 0
389 Ice & heat transferAmbient temperature and the changing melt rate of an ice cube

The investigation examines how “Ambient temperature and the changing melt rate of an ice cube” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 12346713 0
390 Ice & heat transferSalt concentration and its effect on the melting point and melting time of ice

The investigation examines how “Salt concentration and its effect on the melting point and melting time of ice” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 12346713 0
391 Ice & heat transferDiffusion of food colouring as a coloured ice cube melts

The investigation examines how “Diffusion of food colouring as a coloured ice cube melts” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 12346713 0
392 Ice & heat transferCube, sphere or cylinder: comparing shapes with equal ice mass

The investigation examines how “Cube, sphere or cylinder: comparing shapes with equal ice mass” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 12346713 0
393 Ice & heat transferAir movement and its effect on ice melting time

The investigation examines how “Air movement and its effect on ice melting time” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 12346713 0
394 Ice & heat transferSurface material and its effect on heat flow and melting time

The investigation examines how “Surface material and its effect on heat flow and melting time” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 12346713 0
395 Ice & heat transferInitial ice temperature and its effect on total thawing time

The investigation examines how “Initial ice temperature and its effect on total thawing time” develops over time or in response to a changing variable and which model best represents the pattern. Differential calculus can determine rates of change and integral calculus can capture total effects, while statistics and probability help assess measurement error, variation and model fit.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 1711 12346713 0
396 Vehicle mathematicsPower-to-weight ratio and 0–100 km/h acceleration across vehicles

The investigation asks which conditions produce the best outcome for “Power-to-weight ratio and 0–100 km/h acceleration across vehicles” and how sensitive that optimum is to changed assumptions. Differential calculus and integral calculus support optimisation and total-effect calculations, while statistics and probability show whether the result remains stable with variable or uncertain data.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 91112 13 0
397 Vehicle mathematicsDrag coefficient and acceleration at higher speeds

The investigation asks which conditions produce the best outcome for “Drag coefficient and acceleration at higher speeds” and how sensitive that optimum is to changed assumptions. Differential calculus and integral calculus support optimisation and total-effect calculations, while statistics and probability show whether the result remains stable with variable or uncertain data.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 91112 13 0
398 Vehicle mathematicsRelationship between drag coefficient, frontal area and fuel consumption

The investigation asks which conditions produce the best outcome for “Relationship between drag coefficient, frontal area and fuel consumption” and how sensitive that optimum is to changed assumptions. Differential calculus and integral calculus support optimisation and total-effect calculations, while statistics and probability show whether the result remains stable with variable or uncertain data.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 91112 13 0
399 Vehicle mathematicsTorque curve and theoretical acceleration in different gears

The investigation asks which conditions produce the best outcome for “Torque curve and theoretical acceleration in different gears” and how sensitive that optimum is to changed assumptions. Differential calculus and integral calculus support optimisation and total-effect calculations, while statistics and probability show whether the result remains stable with variable or uncertain data.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 91112 13 0
400 Vehicle mathematicsVehicle mass and its effect on acceleration and braking-distance models

The investigation asks which conditions produce the best outcome for “Vehicle mass and its effect on acceleration and braking-distance models” and how sensitive that optimum is to changed assumptions. Differential calculus and integral calculus support optimisation and total-effect calculations, while statistics and probability show whether the result remains stable with variable or uncertain data.

Differential calculus · Integral calculus · Statistics · Probability
3 9 91112 13 0
Code legend

What A, C, P, M and S mean.

The table stays narrow on a phone by replacing long descriptions with numeric codes. Entries may contain several P and M codes.

AAssessment type
1
Internal Assessment (IA)
2
Mathematics Extended Essay (EE)
3
Potentially suitable for an IA or EE, depending on focus and mathematical depth
CCourse and level
1
Mathematics AA SL
2
Mathematics AA HL
3
Mathematics AA at SL or HL
4
Mathematics AI SL
5
Mathematics AI HL
6
Mathematics AI at SL or HL
7
Mathematics AA or AI at SL
8
Mathematics AA or AI at HL
9
Mathematics AA or AI at SL or HL
PWays to demonstrate independent direction and personal engagement
1
Own data, measurements, observations or experiment
2
Own photographs, drawings, constructions or models
3
Own sport, video, GPS or tracker context
4
Own school or class survey or observation
5
Own everyday, household, consumer or financial data
6
Local context: environment, buildings, traffic, climate or nature
7
Own programming, simulation or algorithm
8
Personal interest: music, art, games, design or another hobby
9
Public data selected, prepared and analysed independently
10
Own conjecture, proof idea, generalisation or theoretical comparison
11
Own modelling decision, construction, optimisation or adaptation
12
Critical comparison of assumptions, errors, limitations or ethical issues
MMeasuring instruments, tools or data access
0
No specialist physical instrument; a calculator, CAS, spreadsheet or open data may be sufficient
1
Ruler, tape measure, calliper or protractor
2
Balance or precision scale
3
Contact thermometer or temperature data logger
4
Infrared thermometer or thermal camera
5
Multimeter or another electrical measuring instrument
6
Stopwatch or timer
7
Camera or smartphone for photographic and video analysis
8
GPS device or fitness tracker
9
Microphone, sound-level meter or audio-analysis software
10
Light meter, light sensor or solar sensor
11
Conductivity, pH or salinity meter
12
Weather instruments, such as an anemometer or rain gauge
13
Computer, spreadsheet, CAS, GeoGebra, Desmos or Python
14
Survey form, data sheet or observation record
15
Force sensor or spring balance
16
Laboratory glassware, measuring cylinder or pipette
17
Telescope, binoculars or a suitable camera
18
Humidity or material-moisture sensor
19
Non-invasive physiology sensor, such as heart-rate or reaction-time measurement
20
Physical model, 3D printer or material samples
21
Specialist school laboratory equipment
SSafety and data protection
0
Likely to be low risk within normal school practice
1
Supervision recommended, for example for heat, electricity, sport or traffic observation
2
Carry out only in a school laboratory or with qualified supervision
3
Sensitive personal or health data: consent, anonymisation and preferably secondary data; no medical self-intervention

Turn an idea into an independent investigation.

Guidance on focus, independent direction, safety and data use is provided on the first page of the topic list.

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