IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL
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The IB Mathematics Analysis & Approaches Higher Level course focuses on the growing need for analytical expertise in a technology-driven world.
It challenges students to not only solve abstract problems but also to communicate and justify their mathematical arguments.
Students will develop logical, analytical, and creative thinking skills and will need to show patience and persistence in problem solving.
IB Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL is the most challenging mathematics course the International Baccalaureate (IB) offers.
Most IB schools will require students to have excelled in previous mathematical courses or examinations before allowing them to take this course.
| Topic | Teaching Hours | Percentage of Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers and Algebra | 39 hours | 18.7% |
| Functions | 32 hours | 14.8% |
| Trigonometry | 51 hours | 24.4% |
| Statistics | 33 hours | 15.8% |
| Calculus | 55 hours | 26.3% |
Need a syllabus checklist?
A course guide is a large and official IB document to provide students, teachers, and parents with a better understanding of a course.
It includes details such as the syllabus, prior learning topics, assessment outlines, notation lists, and a glossary of command terms for the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches course.
Even though we try our best to provide you with the most important information from this and a multitude of other IB documents, we still recommend reading through this guide to better understand this course.
Assessments
| Type of Assessment | Format | Time | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 |
No technology allowed
Section A: short-response questions Section B: extended-response questions |
2 hours | 30% |
| Paper 2 |
Technology allowed
Section A: short-response questions Section B: extended-response questions |
2 hours | 30% |
| Paper 3 |
Technology allowed
Two extended-response problem-solving questions |
1 hour | 20% |
|
Internal Assessment |
Exploration - application of skills and knowledge |
15 hours | 20% |
Textbooks
The IB Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL course is highly competitive.
In order to succeed, we recommend you consult multiple textbooks.
The most common approach is to buy an extra textbook additionally to the one you are already using in school.
This way, you significantly increase your chances of succeeding in Math AA HL.
We have outlined the best textbooks for the IB Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL curriculum below.
| Ranking | Name | Type of Book | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | Oxford | Textbook | $39 |
| No. 2 | Pearson | Textbook | $59 |
| No. 3 | Hodder | Textbook | $59 |
| No. 4 | Hodder | Workbook | $18 |
| No. 5 | Feretzakis | Revision Guide | $29 |
The official formula booklet contains all the formulas that given you to during the exam.
This doesn’t mean that it contains all formulas you need to know.
Further, looking at the formulas takes time and should only be done when absolutely necessary.
To waste less time, know the position of every formula in the formula booklet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
How hard is Math Analysis and Approaches HL?
IB Mathematics AA HL is by far the most challenging course in the IB programme. It requires great perseverance, patience, time management, and most importantly a love for mathematics. DP 1 IB Mathematics AA HL is comparable to AP Calculus BC. DP 2 IB Mathematics AA HL is comparable to AP Statistics minus the Chi-square chapter, plus pre-calculus. The difficulty of IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL arises due to the broad range of topics and thus potential questions that can be asked in the examinations.
What is Math Analysis and Approaches HL?
IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL is one out of four courses offered in group 5 of the IB programme. It consists of five major topics ranging from simple algebra to advanced calculus. This course will prepare you for most top-tier universities’s math heavy programs and it is designed for students who want to challenge themselves.
Is Math Analysis and Approaches HL the same as calculus?
Even though IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL focuses heavily on calculus, calculus is not the only thing taught in this course. A student can expect to learn the same amount of Calculus as is taught in Calculus 2 or in AP Calculus BC. However, a student can also expect to learn a lot about numbers and algebra, functions, trigonometry, statistics, vectors, matrices, and more.
What does HL stand for in Math AA HL?
HL means “Higher Level”. This is a simple way to differentiate between the classes that the IB offers. In total there are two HL Mathematics classes. IB Math Analysis and Approaches HL focuses heavily on calculus and analytical thinking, whereas IB Math Application and Interpretation HL focuses on real-life applications and Statistics.
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