The Ultimate Guide to the IB Math AI Internal Assessment

Alright, let's talk about the Math AI IA. It's that big project that counts for 20% of your final IB grade, and honestly, it's one of your best opportunities to show off your skills. Forget about scary exam halls; this is your chance to explore a topic you genuinely find interesting and apply the math you've learned to the real world. Think of it less as a test and more as your own personal mathematical investigation.

This guide will walk you through everything, from picking a topic you won't get bored of, to understanding exactly what your examiner wants to see. Let's get that 7.

Part 1: The Blueprint - Structuring a Killer IA

While there isn't a super rigid formula, a well-structured IA guides the reader logically through your investigation. Most high-scoring IAs are between 12-20 pages and follow a flow like this:

Introduction (1-2 pages)

This is your hook. Introduce your topic, clearly state your research question, and explain why you chose it. What's your personal connection? Why is it worth investigating? Set the scene.

Methodology & Exploration (8-12 pages)

This is the heart of your IA. Here, you'll carry out your mathematical exploration. Show your calculations, present your data, create graphs and models, and explain every step of your process logically.

Analysis & Conclusion (1-2 pages)

Present your findings and interpret what they mean in the context of your research question. What's the answer to your question? Summarize your key results and state whether you achieved your initial aim.

Reflection & Evaluation

This is where you score big marks for critical thinking. Evaluate your own work. What were the strengths and weaknesses of your methods? Were there any limitations? How could you have improved or extended your investigation?

Part 2: Decoding the Marking Criteria - What Examiners Really Want

Your IA is marked against five criteria, totaling 20 marks. Understanding these is the key to knowing where to focus your energy. Think of this as the "rules of the game".

Criterion	Marks	How to Nail It
A: Presentation	4	Is your IA easy to follow? It needs to be coherent, well-organized with a logical structure, and concise. Use headings, label your graphs and tables clearly, and make sure it's not a mess.
B: Mathematical Communication	4	Speak the language of math. Use correct notation, symbols, and terminology. Define your key terms and variables. Your graphs, tables, and diagrams should be clear and enhance your explanation.
C: Personal Engagement	3	Show that you own this project. This comes from choosing a topic you're passionate about, explaining your personal connection, and showing independent thinking or creativity in your approach.
D: Reflection	3	Be a critical thinker. Don't just present results. Discuss their validity, consider the limitations of your methods, and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of your overall investigation.
E: Use of Mathematics	6	This is the big one. The math you use must be relevant, correct, and sophisticated enough for your course level (SL or HL). HL students must use HL content or apply SL concepts in a more complex way.

The Lanterna Tip: "Hard Maths done badly is worse than Simple Maths done well!" Don't overcomplicate things just to seem impressive. It's better to use appropriate math correctly and with full understanding than to attempt complex concepts you can't explain properly.

Part 3: Finding Your Perfect Topic - The Brainstorming Process

Choosing a topic is the most important step, and it's where you should spend some serious time. A good topic is one you're genuinely curious about. Your passion (or lack of it) will show in your writing.

Start with Your Passions: What do you actually like? Think about your hobbies (gaming, sports, music, cooking), your other IB subjects (Economics, Psychology, Biology), or real-world issues you care about (climate change, finance).
Connect to Math AI Concepts: How can you link your passion to a math concept? Sports are full of statistics. Financial markets can be modelled. Population changes can be described with functions. Pick a part of the syllabus you enjoyed.
Hunt for Data: A great idea is nothing without data. Can you find reliable data online (government statistics, sports databases, financial reports)? Or can you generate your own data through a survey or experiment?
Formulate a Focused Research Question: A broad topic is a recipe for a shallow IA. Narrow it down to something specific, measurable, and answerable.
- Vague: "Math in Football"
- Focused: "What is the correlation between a Premier League team's total wage bill and their final league position?"

Your IA Idea Validation Checklist

Before you dive in, run your idea past this quick checklist:

Feasibility: Can you realistically gather the data and complete the math within the timeframe and page limit?
Appropriateness: Does the topic allow you to use math that's at your course level (SL or HL)?
Personal Interest: Are you genuinely curious about this? Will you stay motivated for weeks?
Data Availability: Can you find reliable, relevant data? A sample size of at least 30-60 data points is a good target.
Teacher Feedback: Have you discussed your idea with your teacher? Their guidance is gold. Do this early!

Part 4: 50+ IA Ideas To Get You Started

Stuck for ideas? No problem. Use this list as a starting point. The best IAs often come from taking one of these general ideas and finding a unique, personal angle on it.

Statistics & Data Analysis

Investigating the correlation between a country's GDP per capita and its level of female representation in parliament.
Analyzing the relationship between hours of sleep and student reaction times or focus levels.
Does a playlist's tempo (BPM) have a statistically significant effect on running pace?
Modeling the relationship between temperature and a city's electricity consumption.
Is there a correlation between a country's Human Development Index (HDI) and its citizens' financial literacy?
Using statistical tests to see if M&M's colour distribution matches the company's claims.
Predicting a movie's box office success based on critic ratings, audience scores, and budget.
Analyzing the link between online shopping frequency and monthly income/allowance.

Modeling & Optimization

Modeling the population growth of wolves in Yellowstone National Park using logistic functions.
Using volumes of revolution to calculate the volume of an irregularly shaped object, like a vase or decanter.
Modeling the cooling curve of a cup of tea or coffee to find the "perfect" drinking time.
Optimizing the shape of a soda can to minimize aluminum usage while holding a specific volume.
Modeling the spread of a pandemic or a viral social media trend.
Using trigonometric functions to model the variation of daylight hours or temperature over a year in your city.
Modeling a company's revenue over time to forecast future earnings.
Modeling the motion of a swimmer using parametric equations to analyze their technique.

Sports Analytics

Investigating the correlation between spending on player salaries and team success in football/basketball.
Modeling the perfect trajectory of a basketball free throw or a penalty kick.
Using geometry to determine which volleyball serve-receive formation provides the best court coverage.
Analyzing the relationship between a Formula 1 car's starting grid position and its probability of finishing on the podium.
Is there a link between a pitcher's ERA (Earned Run Average) in baseball and their salary?
Modeling the trajectory of a horse's jump in equestrian events.

Technology, Finance & Urban Planning

Using Graph Theory to find the most efficient delivery route for a local business (the "Traveling Salesman Problem").
Using Voronoi diagrams to determine the optimal placement of new hospitals, schools, or fire stations in a city.
Modeling cryptocurrency trends (e.g., Bitcoin value) using time series analysis.
Investigating the mathematics behind GPS navigation and triangulation.
Calculating and comparing Gini coefficients to understand income inequality between two countries.
Modeling personal investment strategies to see how different interest rates or contributions affect long-term growth.

Manmohini Tiwari
Hi, I’m Manmohini, an IB graduate with 40 points, now studying International Relations and Global Affairs in Italy. I earned 7s in HL History and HL English A, along with an A in TOK, and I’ve been tutoring these subjects for around four years. My experience working with organisations like NATO and the United Nations has deepened my understanding of global issues — something I love bringing into my lessons to make learning more relevant and thought-provoking. I focus on helping students see connections between ideas, develop strong essay and critical thinking skills, and approach the IB with confidence and curiosity rather than stress. My lessons are interactive and tailored to each student’s goals, whether that’s improving analysis, refining writing, or mastering exam techniques. I see tutoring as more than academics — it’s about building perspective and empowering students to express themselves clearly while staying balanced.. When I’m not tutoring, you’ll usually find me hiking, playing new music, or planning my next travel adventure.

The Math AI IA is a mandatory 12-20 page mathematical exploration that accounts for 20% of your final IB grade. It requires you to choose a real-world topic you're passionate about and apply mathematical concepts from the Applications and Interpretation course to analyze it.

The best topics connect your personal interests (like sports, finance, or environmental science) with available real-world data and mathematical concepts from the syllabus. Your topic should be focused enough to explore in depth but broad enough to demonstrate mathematical skills appropriate for your SL or HL level.

A common challenge is finding the right balance. Students often choose topics that are too complex for the scope of the IA, or too simple to score well on Criterion E (Use of Mathematics). Another issue is poor mathematical communication, so it's vital to explain your steps clearly. If you're unsure about your topic's viability, discussing it with an expert can provide crucial clarity.

Feeling stuck is normal, and that's where expert guidance makes a difference. A Lanterna tutor, who is a top IB graduate, can help you brainstorm and validate your topic, structure your report, refine your mathematical analysis, and ensure you meet every criterion. This one-on-one support can turn confusion into a clear, high-scoring project.

Lanterna’s IB consultation is a free, 20–30 minute call with a Student Success Expert. It's a chance for students and parents to discuss specific challenges, like the Math AI IA, and receive a personalised plan with clear next steps to improve grades and reduce stress.

Yes, the consultation is completely free and comes with no obligation to purchase tutoring. Our primary goal is to provide immediate value and clarity, helping you understand your priorities and how to tackle challenges like the IA effectively.

Our Student Success Experts are former high-achieving IB graduates. They have successfully navigated the entire IB journey, including their own IAs, and are now trained to listen to your unique situation and provide expert advice to help you build a strategic plan for success.

You will leave the 20-30 minute call with a clear action plan and a better understanding of your priorities for the IA and beyond. If you feel one-on-one tutoring would be a good fit, the Student Success Expert can match you with the perfect tutor for your needs, but there is absolutely no pressure to continue.

Absolutely. A consultation is valuable at any stage. Whether you need help brainstorming initial ideas, validating your current approach, or refining your final draft, our Student Success Expert can provide the guidance needed to elevate your work and ensure you're on track for a top grade.

No, we offer comprehensive support across the IB Diploma Programme. Our expert tutors cover most IB subjects at both SL and HL, and can help with other IAs, the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and exam revision. The free consultation is a great way to discuss all your IB goals.

+44 7458 159704

info@lanterna.com

+44 20 4571 0455

Sibyllegatan 47, Stockholm Sweden, 114 42