Teacher resources

Teacher resources

I have collected together below a lot of (hopefully!) useful resources to support IB teachers teaching IB Maths Analysis SL and HL and also Applications SL and HL.

This is a small portion of the content on  my new site: intermathematics.com which has been designed specifically for teachers of mathematics at international schools.  The content now includes over 3000 pages of pdf content for the entire SL and HL syllabus for both Analysis and Applications.  

Exploration coursework

1. A 63 page guide to the exploration process along with a 50 page Statistics for explorations and 50 page Modelling for explorations guide.  [Download from here].

Paper 3 investigations. 

Exploration 1: Rotating curves: Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 2: Who killed Mr. Potato? Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 3:  Graphically understanding complex roots.  Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 4: Avoiding a magical barrier.  Question download Markscheme download.

Exploration 5 : Circle packing density.  Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 6:  A sliding ladder investigation.  Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 7: Exploring the Si(x) function. Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 8: Volume optimization of a cuboid.  Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 9: Exploring Riemann sums.  Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 10 : Optimisation of area.  Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 11: Quadruple Proof.  Question download  Markscheme download

Exploration 12: Circumscribed and inscribed polygons.  Question download.  Markscheme download.

Exploration 13:  Probability Generating function. Question download.  Markscheme download.

Starter puzzles

1. Square Dance

For the unit square shown above with vertices at (0,0), (1,0), (0,1) and (1,1), how many different types of functions can you find that go through at least 2 points?  You can download a pdf solution here.

2. Message in the logs

A nice activity for Christmas time – can students find the hidden message?  You can download a pdf solution here.

3. Make 2023

Using the numbers  in order, the standard arithmetic operations and brackets, can you make the number 2023?  You can download a pdf solution here.

4. Decidedly average

In the grids, each blank square should be filled with the mean of the two numbers in adjacent squares.  You can download the solution pdf here.

5. Circular logic

Find the area of the shaded shape when the radius, r, of the original circle is 1.  You can download a pdf of the solution here.

6. The sum of 3 cubes

How many of the numbers from 1-20 can you form as the integer sum of 3 cubes?  You can download a pdf of the solution here.

7. A reciprocal sum

This is a good introduction to more formal mathematical techniques for finding upper/lower bounds for functions – and also in working with generalized functions.  The pdf solution can be downloaded here.

8. Hunting integers

How many values of n give an integer answer?  You can download the pdf answer here.

9. Disappearing fractions

What is the value of the above product?  You can download the pdf solution here.

10. As smart as Pythagoras

Can you use the diagram, with squares ABCD and EFHG to discover Pythagoras’ Theorem?  You can download the pdf solution here.

11.  The million dollar maths problem

“Every even integer greater than 2 can be written as the sum of 2 prime numbers.”  How many solutions can you find?  Prove it and enter the mathematical history books!  You can download a pdf of the solution here.

12. Time dilation

Students calculate the effects of time dilation in one of the most amazing mathematical discoveries of all time.  You can download a pdf of this solution here.

13. A Penny for thoughts

What is the value of R/r for the model of the Penny Farthing?  You can download a pdf of the solution here.

14. On reflection

Can students reflect the graph of y = x^2 around a straight line?  You can download a pdf of the solution here.

Sequences

1. Mixed sequences past paper style questions. [Questions].  [Markscheme].

2. A sequences puzzle.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

3. A mini sequences investigation. [Questions].

Logs

1. Laws of logs treasure hunt. [Questions].  [Markscheme].

2. Radioactive decay investigation. [Question].  [Markscheme].

3. Benford’s Law investigation. [Question].  [Markscheme].

Binomial expansion

1. Fractional and negative indices worksheet.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

Complex numbers 

1. Converting between complex numbers.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

2. Julia Sets investigation.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

Functions

1. Quadratic functions bridge building.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

2.  Mixed past paper style questions.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

3. Viete’s Theorem investigation.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

4. Where to build a hospital with Voronoi diagrams.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

Trigonometry and geometry

1. Hours of sunlight investigation [Questions].  [Markscheme].

2. Treasure hunt trig graphs [Questions].  [Markscheme].

3. Trig past paper style questions GDC.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

4. Encryption with matrices investigation. [Questions].  [Markscheme].

Probability and statistics

1. Normal distribution classroom investigation.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

Calculus

1. Optimisation worksheet. [Questions].  [Markscheme].

2. Circle rolling down a cosine curve investigation.  [Questions].  [Markscheme].

Enrichment

1. School code breaking resource pack.  [Download]

TOK

1. TOK links to support IB Maths TOK teachers when delivering this subject. [Link]

Other great resources (other teachers)

Analysis:

1) The Analysis and Approaches formula book for SL and HL. (Reworked and in a beautiful one page format).

2) Full Analysis and Approaches lecture notes from Christos Nikolaidis.  (Extremely comprehensive and well written).

3) A beautiful mind-map for the entire Analysis and Approaches SL course produced by the IB.

4) A fantastic 55 page pdf for Paper 3 Investigations from IB teacher Daniel Hwang – these are pretty challenging – great for Level 6/7 HL students!

5) Full Analysis course notes from Mac Maths.  Beautifully handwritten notes.

Applications:

1) The Applications and Interpretations formula book for SL and HL. (Reworked and in a beautiful one page format).

2) Full Applications and Interpretations lecture notes from Christos Nikolaidis.  (Extremely comprehensive and well written).

3) A beautiful mind-map for the entire Applications and Interpretations SL course produced by the IB.

4) Full Applications course notes from Mac Maths.  Beautifully handwritten notes.

If you’ve found any of this useful then please check out my new site: intermathematics.com which has been designed specifically for teachers of mathematics at international schools.  The content now includes over 3000 pages of pdf content for the entire SL and HL syllabus for both Analysis and Applications.