A CHECKLIST FOR WRITING MATHS EXPLORATION

Criterion A: Communication

� Does your exploration have a clear title?

� Is there an introduction?
� Have you identified the aim(s) of the exploration to the reader?
� Have you indicated to the reader why this topic interests you?
� Will a reader who is unfamiliar with the subject of the exploration be able to follow your arguments?
� Have you given the reader some indication of what will follow in the exploration?
� Have you clearly explained what is being done at each step so the reader is not left guessing?
� Is the structure of ideas logical?
� Have you included graphs, tables and diagrams at their appropriate places?
� Have you edited/proofread the exploration?
� Have you remained focussed on the aim(s) of the exploration?
� Have you fulfilled / addressed the aims of your exploration?
� Have you cited references and direct quotes?
� Are the pages numbered?
� Are the grammar, spelling, and punctuation correct?
� Is the exploration neatly typed with wide enough margins?
� Does you exploration flow smoothly and read well?

Things to avoid
Avoid over describing mathematical expressions / methods using words – mathematics is itself a language.
Avoid repeating yourself
Avoid big leaps in the mathematics
Avoid using vague language e.g. sentence fragments

Criterion B: Mathematical Presentation

� Is the mathematical language used correctly (symbols, notation and terminology)?

�Have you define key terms, where required?
� Have you defined / adequately described all of the variables used?
� Have you included appropriate mathematical tools (spreadsheets, graphing software)?
� Have you expressed results to an appropriate degree of accuracy?
� Have you stated all physical assumptions (no friction, constant interest rate, growth without limits… etc.)?
� Have you stated your mathematical assumptions (a continuous function, linear, x is a real number)?
� Have you included formulas and equations in complete sentences with correct syntax?

Original Contribution by: WSL Isaac Youssef : from workbook resource Chee Kin Chin 1
Are graphs, tables and diagrams:

� Merged in the appropriate place along with mathematical expressions and other written commentary?
� Clear with correct labels, scales and units on axes if appropriate?
� Presented in a way that enhances clarity and improve the communication of mathematical ideas?
� Have you labelled, by hand if necessary, any “screen shots” from graphic calculators?

Thing to avoid
� Avoid using calculator notation when writing mathematical expressions (e.g. /, *, ^…etc.)
� Avoid using an “=" sign outside of a formula
� Avoid using an “=" sign in place of”  ”
� Avoid using colloquial language

Criterion C: Personal Engagement

� Have you read mathematics and researched areas of interest?

� Is the topic chosen of genuine interest to you personally?
� Have you explicitly explained / referred to your personal interest in the chosen topic?
� Have you used your own examples, language, solutions, proofs and explanations?
� Have you posed questions, made conjectures and investigated mathematical ideas?
� Have you looked for and created mathematical models for real-world situations?
� Have you considered other perspectives (e.g. historical and global)?
� Have you explored unfamiliar mathematics?
� have you taken any real practical models or simulated any real life situation?

Criterion D: Reflection

� Have you regularly discussed the implications of your findings and results through your work?
� Have you considered how your ideas could be extended in this context?’
� Have you considered possible limitations in your work?
� Have you related mathematical ideas to personal/previous knowledge/beliefs or misconceptions?
� Have you made links to different fields and/or areas of mathematics?
� Have you considered the significance of what you have learnt?’
� have you resolved any issues?
�Have you identified possible range of validity of models?

Original Contribution by: WSL Isaac Youssef : from workbook resource Chee Kin Chin 2
Criterion E: Use of mathematics
� Is the mathematics used appropriate and applicable?
� Does the level of mathematics used match with the level of the course?
� Have you correctly explored the mathematics?
� Have you shown thorough knowledge and understanding of the mathematics?
� Have you applied mathematics in different contexts or different areas of Maths?
� Have you applied problem-solving techniques?
� Were you able to recognize and explain patterns, where appropriate?
� Have you justified your conjecture formally through formal proofs (mandatory for HL)?
� Were you able to solve the problem posed?
� Have you successfully analyzed real life situation?
� Were you able to write the solution in “real-world" terms?

Original Contribution by: WSL Isaac Youssef : from workbook resource Chee Kin Chin 3