fbpx

IB HL Math: Applications

The IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretation course aims to help students understand the world through a mathematical lens, with particular emphasis on mathematical modeling and statistical analysis, both of which leverage the power of technology. This two-year course of study develops theory in order to tackle applications. As their IB Internal Assessment, students complete a project–including a formal paper–with a strong mathematical modeling focus. Topics studied include descriptive statistics, probability, inferential statistics, and Markov chains; calculus and differential equations; graphs and graph algorithms for trees, the traveling salesman problem and the Chinese postman problem; vectors, matrices, complex numbers, and linear algebra. This course assumes strong algebraic, function analysis, and graphing skills. Students with a desire to tackle practical, concrete problems in the areas of biology, ecology, economics, business, urban planning, and other applied domains will find the techniques developed in this class useful (and hopefully fulfilling!).

This course consists of six mods. The first HL-specific mod is taken in 11th grade, and Accelerated Statistics must be taken prior to the common AP/IB HL statistics mod. The final two mods of the sequence specific to this course are taken in 12th grade. Students who have already taken a calculus course do not need the calculus mod. Students who have already taken AP Statistics do not need the statistics mods.

Students who enroll in this course must sit for the IB exam.

Min-Max Credit Hours: 5.0-6.0