Mathematics
AI · HL

AI HL

Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation, Higher Level

AI SL's applied focus, extended with matrices, vectors, complex numbers, differential equations and graph theory. Heavy on modelling.

Who this course is for

For students who want a quantitative degree path (engineering, computer science, economics, data science) without the formal proof emphasis of AA HL.

Topics covered

  • Number and algebra (incl. matrices, complex numbers)
  • Functions (incl. logistic models)
  • Geometry and trigonometry (incl. vectors, Voronoi)
  • Statistics and probability (incl. Poisson, Markov chains)
  • Calculus (incl. ODEs, volume of revolution)

Assessment

External assessment: 80% · Internal assessment: 20%

Paper 1

30%
120 minutes · GDC required

Short-response questions across the whole syllabus.

Paper 2

30%
120 minutes · GDC required

Extended-response questions in real-world contexts.

Paper 3

20%
60 minutes · GDC required

Two long problem-solving questions that combine ideas across topics. Requires sustained reasoning.

Internal Assessment — Exploration

20%
approx. 20 hours over 2 years · GDC permitted

A 12–20 page mathematical exploration on a topic of the student's choice. Students develop, apply and reflect on mathematical ideas, marked against the IB criteria for presentation, communication, personal engagement, reflection, and use of mathematics.

At a glance

Family
AI
Level
HL
External
80%
IA
20%

Thinking about this course?

Talk to your Year 11 mathematics teacher in the second half of Year 11. Bring your end-of-year report and any specific degree programmes you are considering.

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