IB Maths Resources from Intermathematics
IB Maths Resources: 300 IB Maths Exploration ideas, video tutorials and Exploration Guides
Good at maths? Really good? Then maybe one day you'll be able to claim a $1million prize for solving some of the fiendishly difficult and important maths problems out there. In 2000, the Clay Institute offered the reward for any mathematician who was able to crack 7 mathematical problems. In 13 years only one of... Continue Reading →
A keyquestion in ToK is what can we know and what are the limits of our knowledge. Central to this, when it comes to the physical world, is the idea of chaos. Chaotic systems are those which are deterministic (ie. determined from initial conditions) and yet unpredictable - because small errors in approximating the initial state... Continue Reading →
Godel, a 20th century, Austrian American mathematician attempted to use the rigour of formal mathematical logic to provide a proof for the existence of God. Whilst somewhat daunting, a more simplified version can be regarded as, "God, by definition, is that for which no greater can be conceived. God exists in the understanding. If God... Continue Reading →
This formula above is one of the many staggering relationships found by mathematical genius Ramanujan - a largely self-taught Indian mathematician from around the turn of the 20th Century. It has been described by some mathematicians as Ramanujan's most beautiful formula - as it shows a remarkable connection between an infinite series, a continued fraction,... Continue Reading →
Fractals aren't actually on the syllabus - but they do offer quite a good opportunity to look at limits, infinite sequences, complex numbers (eg Julia sets etc), the relationship between maths and art and so on. This video is a fantastic introduction to fractals - looking at how the Koch snowflake has simultaneously a finite... Continue Reading →
This is a really nice worksheet and associated powerpoint for collecting a variety of data from the class - measuring reaction times, memory, head circumference etc etc. Everything is easily laid out ready for students to fill in. Would also be suitable for IGCSE, and even KS3 (you would just interpret to different levels.
Making Statistics Relevant is a brilliant website from the same creator as the RISPS resources - Jonny Griffiths. Each statistics topic has an extension task created to get students using their problem solving skills. Topics covered include measures of central tendency, probability, discrete random variables, poisson distribution, binomial distribution, normal distribution and chi squared. ... Continue Reading →
Maths Dingbats are great for lesson starters and for using in quizzes - I've uploaded about 50 to this website here. These one all use some maths terms to generate the answer There is a big powerpoint file with about 50 more here. These ones all give a maths related word as the answer. and... Continue Reading →
Bingo works great as a starter and plenary activity. It's surprising how much students enjoy this game. Even better, there are so many ready created games on TES, you'll never even have to make your own. TES collection number 1 TES collection number 2
Code breaking is a good activity to introduce problem solving skills and real world careers for mathematicians. Code Cracking worksheets Marcus De Satouy video explaining codes Counton website to generate different codes Nice Morse Code Generator Numberphile also have a good introduction to public key encryption using prime numbers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7kEpw1tn50
There are a host of maths displays and posters out there to brighten up classrooms and display boards. A large collection of maths posters and displays Some excellent maths quotes 17 Equations that Changed the Face of the World." Five minimalist posters on some of the great mathematician from Hydrogene
Maths CSI is a really good revision resource from Laura Rees Hughes - students work in groups to solve clues, eliminate suspects and arrive at the culprit. IGCSE Number CSI TES Collection of GCSE Number, Algebra, Geometry, Data Handling, KS3 mixed and Grade C GCSE Revision.
Another variation on a gameshow theme - Maths Blockbusters is a good way of introducing competition into the class. It works well splitting the class (say) girls versus boys - with all pairs of students given whiteboards. When it's the boys' question, all the boys must raise their whiteboards with the answers. Any incorrect answers... Continue Reading →
There are a real variety of treasure hunt resources on TES - and these are great for adding a bit of momentum to a lesson. 1a) Find the Treasure is a IGCSE activity for using loci and constructions to find the buried treasure. 1b) Loci and constructions to find the murderer from map instructions. 2)... Continue Reading →
Maths Tarsia are one of the best group activities for maths - there are already a large number of Tarsia puzzles on TES Secondary Maths Resources but most of these relate to A level rather than IB. I've uploaded a few more specifically for IB here . There include: HL or SL: Binomial distribution Probability... Continue Reading →
One of my favourite resources is Jeopardy. For those not familiar with the game (I think it's American), it's a gameshow, where you get to choose questions of different levels of difficulty, from a range of categories. I downloaded the template from TES - it's a ready-made powerpoint which you can click on to take... Continue Reading →