Focus the object
Define the object, dataset, time period, variable or mathematical structure as precisely as possible.
IB Mathematics · Complete topic list
900 topic ideas – page 21 of 36.
Topics 501 to 525 with explanations, methods, course and equipment guidance.
Mathematics and applications
Compare 900 ideas clearly.
The list mixes calculus, statistics, modelling, geometry, number theory, computer science, sport, environmental topics and other areas. Each entry includes a short explanation and visible methods such as differential calculus, integral calculus, statistics or regression.
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.
1
Select an idea. Titles and areas are starting points, not finished research questions.
2
Check A and C. These codes give an initial indication of assessment type, course and level.
3
Read P, M and S. They show possible independent direction, tools, and safety or data-protection needs.
| No. | Topic idea | A | C | P | M | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 501 | Logic, set theory & proofAxiom systems through the example of geometry Develop “Axiom systems through the example of geometry” through original examples, derivations, or a small computational exploration. State a precise conjecture, test it systematically, and compare alternative proof or modelling approaches. |
2 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 502 | Applied & interdisciplinary mathematicsAnalysing the distribution of stars in the night sky Turn “Analysing the distribution of stars in the night sky” into a focused research question and select a transparent dataset or your own measurements. Compare suitable models, examine residuals, and evaluate uncertainty, outliers, and limitations. |
3 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 0 |
| 503 | ThermodynamicsTemperature change inside a compost heap over fourteen days Turn “Temperature change inside a compost heap over fourteen days” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 6 | 6 | 36 | 1 |
| 504 | Material propertiesSalt content of water samples measured by evaporation and residue mass Turn “Salt content of water samples measured by evaporation and residue mass” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 9 | 16 | 2111316 | 0 |
| 505 | ElectricityPower output of a bicycle dynamo at different rotational speeds Turn “Power output of a bicycle dynamo at different rotational speeds” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 9 | 1311 | 58913 | 1 |
| 506 | Combined experimentsBaking soda and vinegar: carbon dioxide mass loss and temperature change Turn “Baking soda and vinegar: carbon dioxide mass loss and temperature change” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 3 | 1511 | 2313 | 1 |
| 507 | Algebra & number theoryThe mathematics behind Sudoku-solving strategies Turn “The mathematics behind Sudoku-solving strategies” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 7 | 178 | 1316 | 0 |
| 508 | Analysis & calculusOptimising a vehicle's fuel consumption Turn “Optimising a vehicle's fuel consumption” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 8 | 1511 | 0 | 0 |
| 509 | Statistics & probabilityStatistical analysis of election results and forecasts Turn “Statistical analysis of election results and forecasts” into a focused research question and select a transparent dataset or your own measurements. Compare suitable models, examine residuals, and evaluate uncertainty, outliers, and limitations. |
1 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 0 |
| 510 | Mathematical modellingModelling population change in a city Turn “Modelling population change in a city” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 6 | 6911 | 13 | 0 |
| 511 | Geometry & topologyGeometric constructions of ellipses and parabolas Turn “Geometric constructions of ellipses and parabolas” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
3 | 3 | 1211 | 0 | 0 |
| 512 | Financial mathematicsComparing fixed-term and instant-access savings rates over ten years Turn “Comparing fixed-term and instant-access savings rates over ten years” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 6 | 159 | 0 | 0 |
| 513 | ThermodynamicsCooling molten wax or chocolate: phase transition and solidification Turn “Cooling molten wax or chocolate: phase transition and solidification” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 3 | 1511 | 3413 | 1 |
| 514 | Material propertiesBiomass growth of cress or sprouts over fourteen days Turn “Biomass growth of cress or sprouts over fourteen days” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 6 | 111 | 26 | 1 |
| 515 | ElectricityBioelectric voltages in selected fruits, vegetables and plant tissues Turn “Bioelectric voltages in selected fruits, vegetables and plant tissues” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 3 | 156 | 5 | 1 |
| 516 | Combined experimentsResistance change as a resistor heats during current flow Turn “Resistance change as a resistor heats during current flow” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 3 | 16 | 4513 | 1 |
| 517 | Algebra & number theoryPalindromic numbers in different bases Turn “Palindromic numbers in different bases” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
3 | 3 | 17 | 13 | 0 |
| 518 | Analysis & calculusCurvature in bridges and arches Turn “Curvature in bridges and arches” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 519 | Statistics & probabilityBattery life across different brands Turn “Battery life across different brands” into a focused research question and select a transparent dataset or your own measurements. Compare suitable models, examine residuals, and evaluate uncertainty, outliers, and limitations. |
1 | 6 | 1512 | 5 | 1 |
| 520 | Mathematical modellingThe trajectory of a frisbee or boomerang Turn “The trajectory of a frisbee or boomerang” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 9 | 13 | 7 | 0 |
| 521 | Geometry & topologyProperties of torus knots Turn “Properties of torus knots” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 522 | Financial mathematicsModelling retirement savings under different scenarios Turn “Modelling retirement savings under different scenarios” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 6 | 1511 | 13 | 0 |
| 523 | ThermodynamicsSurface heating of smartphone batteries during gaming, streaming and standby Turn “Surface heating of smartphone batteries during gaming, streaming and standby” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 9 | 1 | 3415 | 1 |
| 524 | Material propertiesDensity and air fraction in different chocolate bars measured by water displacement Turn “Density and air fraction in different chocolate bars measured by water displacement” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 3 | 1512 | 2 | 0 |
| 525 | ElectricityPiezoelectric voltage under different applied forces Turn “Piezoelectric voltage under different applied forces” into a measurable or mathematically precise research question. Develop an appropriate model, test it with your own data, constructions, or examples, and evaluate assumptions, errors, and possible improvements. |
1 | 3 | 1 | 515 | 2 |
No topic ideas match this combination.
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
From heading to investigation
A topic becomes workable only through independent decisions.
The table is designed to speed up the first step. The actual research question emerges through focus, mathematical choice and critical checking.
Select the mathematics
Decide which models, proofs, statistical procedures or optimisation steps can genuinely answer the question.
Plan independent direction
Use your own data, comparisons, modelling choices, extensions or proof ideas rather than reproducing a standard procedure.
Reflect on limitations
Examine assumptions, sources of error, data quality, model limitations, safety and possible improvements.
Personal engagement and independent direction
A personal connection is more than one sentence in the introduction.
The P codes indicate possible ways to shape an investigation independently. Independent thinking becomes visible through justified decisions, appropriate data selection, personal model variants, meaningful comparisons and critical reflection. A code does not guarantee a particular mark.
Review the IA requirementsFrequently asked questions
Use the topic list correctly.
Are the titles finished research questions?
No. They name a possible direction. A question for assessed work must be focused more narrowly, matched to the course and level, and connected to a clear mathematical method.
What does A = 3 mean?
The broad direction could be developed as an IA or Mathematics EE, depending on focus and depth. An EE will normally require a substantially deeper mathematical argument and an appropriate research scope.
Is C an official IB classification?
No. C is editorial guidance for Mathematics AA or Math AI and SL or HL. Final suitability depends on the specific research question and the current requirements.
Do I need to own the listed instruments?
No. M indicates typical or possible tools. Many topics can use open data, a spreadsheet, CAS, GeoGebra, Desmos or Python. Adapt the topic to resources that are genuinely available.
How should topics involving health or personal data be handled?
Prefer anonymised or publicly available secondary data. Original data collection needs consent, data protection, school approval and a low-risk method. Diagnosis, medication changes and invasive self-experimentation do not belong in a Mathematics project.
The complete list is also machine-readable.
The same 900 entries are available as plain text and bilingual JSON for search, accessibility and AI systems.
Authoritative foundations
Check the current curriculum version before starting.
The catalogue complements the PreLearning explanations. Current official IB documents and the school's instructions remain authoritative.