IB Mathematics · Topic list · Page 17

510 topic ideas for the Mathematics IA and Extended Essay – page 17.

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

Page 17 of 21

Topic ideas 401 to 425 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 17: topics 401–425 of 510

Mixed topic list for the Mathematics IA and Mathematics Extended Essay
No. Topic idea A C P M S
401 Vehicle mathematicsAdvertised consumption, engine power and measured acceleration in a model comparison

The investigation asks which conditions produce the best outcome for “Advertised consumption, engine power and measured acceleration in a model comparison” 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
402 Vehicle mathematicsOptimal cruising speed from aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance and energy use

The investigation asks which conditions produce the best outcome for “Optimal cruising speed from aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance and energy use” 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
403 Electric & magnetic fieldsMagnet shape and the spatial distribution of measured magnetic-field strength

The investigation examines how “Magnet shape and the spatial distribution of measured magnetic-field strength” 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 121112 151320 1
404 Electric & magnetic fieldsDistance law for the field strength of a bar magnet

The investigation examines how “Distance law for the field strength of a bar magnet” 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 121112 151320 1
405 Electric & magnetic fieldsCoil turns and electric current as determinants of a solenoid's magnetic field

The investigation examines how “Coil turns and electric current as determinants of a solenoid's magnetic field” 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 121112 151320 1
406 Electric & magnetic fieldsShielding effectiveness of different materials against a magnetic field

The investigation examines how “Shielding effectiveness of different materials against a magnetic field” 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 121112 151320 1
407 Electric & magnetic fieldsSafe distance and field strength below or beside high-voltage power lines

The investigation examines how “Safe distance and field strength below or beside high-voltage power lines” 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 121112 151320 1
408 Electric & magnetic fieldsElectromagnetic field strength of household appliances as a function of distance

The investigation examines how “Electromagnetic field strength of household appliances as a function of distance” 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 121112 151320 1
409 Electric & magnetic fieldsSuperposition of the fields of two magnets in different arrangements

The investigation examines how “Superposition of the fields of two magnets in different arrangements” 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 121112 151320 1
410 Experimental physicsDetermining gravitational acceleration with pendulums of different lengths

The investigation examines how “Determining gravitational acceleration with pendulums of different lengths” 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 16713 1
411 Experimental physicsDetermining gravitational acceleration through video analysis of free fall

The investigation examines how “Determining gravitational acceleration through video analysis of free fall” 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 16713 1
412 Experimental physicsIndirect measurement of gravitational acceleration on an inclined plane

The investigation examines how “Indirect measurement of gravitational acceleration on an inclined plane” 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 16713 1
413 Experimental physicsA smartphone accelerometer in a lift as a model of apparent weight

The investigation examines how “A smartphone accelerometer in a lift as a model of apparent weight” 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 16713 1
414 Experimental physicsStability of repeated gravitational-acceleration measurements across time and setup

The investigation examines how “Stability of repeated gravitational-acceleration measurements across time and setup” 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 16713 1
415 Solar energy & thermal effectsSolar-cell voltage as an indirect measure of solar activity and irradiance during the day

The investigation examines how “Solar-cell voltage as an indirect measure of solar activity and irradiance during the day” 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 3451013 1
416 Solar energy & thermal effectsSolar-cell current as a function of incidence angle and solar elevation

The investigation examines how “Solar-cell current as a function of incidence angle and solar elevation” 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 3451013 1
417 Solar energy & thermal effectsModule temperature and its effect on voltage, current and electrical power

The investigation examines how “Module temperature and its effect on voltage, current and electrical power” 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 3451013 1
418 Solar energy & thermal effectsCloud cover and short-interval variation in solar power

The investigation examines how “Cloud cover and short-interval variation in solar power” 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 3451013 1
419 Solar energy & thermal effectsHeat absorption by light and dark surfaces as an indirect measure of solar effects

The investigation examines how “Heat absorption by light and dark surfaces as an indirect measure of solar effects” 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 3451013 1
420 Solar energy & thermal effectsDaily solar-energy yield as the integral of a measured power curve

The investigation examines how “Daily solar-energy yield as the integral of a measured power curve” 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 3451013 1
421 Thermal expansionLinear expansion of a metal rod as a function of temperature

The investigation examines how “Linear expansion of a metal rod as a function of temperature” 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 1351320 1
422 Thermal expansionComparing thermal-expansion coefficients of aluminium, steel and copper

The investigation examines how “Comparing thermal-expansion coefficients of aluminium, steel and copper” 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 1351320 1
423 Thermal expansionElectric current, heating and length change in a metal wire

The investigation examines how “Electric current, heating and length change in a metal wire” 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 1351320 1
424 Thermal expansionExpansion during heating and contraction during cooling: investigating hysteresis

The investigation examines how “Expansion during heating and contraction during cooling: investigating hysteresis” 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 1351320 1
425 Thermal expansionCurvature of a bimetallic strip as a function of temperature

The investigation examines how “Curvature of a bimetallic strip as a function of temperature” 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 1351320 1
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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