MATA3AI 05/07 – Course Description

Teacher
Gunnar Freyr Stefánsson (gar@mh.is or gunnar@mh.is)

Aims
Among other things, to enable students to:
• develop an understanding of the concepts, principles and nature of mathematics
• communicate mathematics clearly, concisely and confidently in a variety of contexts

• develop logical and creative thinking, and patience and persistence in problem solv-
ing to instil confidence in using mathematics
• develop the ability to reflect critically upon their own work and the work of others
• independently and collaboratively extend their understanding of mathematics.

Textbook and materials

Required
• Textbook: Online text, hard copies made available to students, free of charge.
• Other material: Graphic display calculators, for example Casio fx-9860II, Casio fx-
cg50, ti-84plus, ti-Nspire cxII

Provided by school
• IB Mathematics: analysis and approaches guide, published 2019; for First Assess-
ment 2021
• IB Data Booklet: Formula booklet to be used in class, on all intermediary exams and
in the final IB exam in 2021.

Other useful sources

Many internet sites focus on mathematics, IB mathematics even. They vary in detail
and variety. Among the good ones are:
• British International School, Phuket IB maths resources– https://ibmathsresources.
com/
• Khan Academy– https://www.khanacademy.org/

Assessment
End of semester grade is assigned according to the following chart:
• 20% – Work during the semester. This includes,but not limited to, class attendance,
class work, graded homework, graded midterm exams.
• 40%– Exam Paper 1. No access to calculator of any kind allowed.
• 40%– Exam Paper 2. Graphic display calculator necessary
 Note: The two exams, Paper 1 and Paper 2 are cumulative. At the end of semester 2
(spring semester) students are tested on everything they studied during the first two
semesters and at the end of semester 3 (fall semester) they are tested on everything
they have studied in during their first three semesters.

Attendance and progress rules for IB courses at MH

• The minimum attendance ratio for MH as a whole is 90%.
• The minimum acceptable attendance ratio for students in this course is 90%.
• A ratio of 85-90% is a danger zone that will require negotiation with the IBDP coor-
dinator.
• An attendance ratio of less than 90% will, other things being equal, mean a fail grade
(less than 4 out of 7) for the course in question.

Academic honesty
• Pre–IB and IB DP students are independent learners and MH emphasizes their inde-
pendence. The school expects its IB students to strive to fit the IB learner profile by
being principled and acting with integrity and honesty.
• It expects its students to exercise academic honesty and good academic practices in
all their work, both oral and written, whether it be produced in class, outside class,
or on final exams. This includes projects, assignments, homework, lab-work, lab
reports, CAS documentation and reflections, essays, research papers and creative
work. Good academic practices include acknowledging any sources used within an
assignment, carefully citing them and including a bibliography using an appropriate
academic referencing system. This applies equally to sources in print, online and
other recorded forms. See the school’s academic honesty policy on https://www.
mh.is/is/ib-studies/policies-rules/academic-honesty-policy.

Information and communication technology use

• The school provides desktops for work, as well as free WiFi access.
• The school provides the Microsoft Office365 suite as well as Vernier LoggerPro data
logging software free for all students to install on their own devices.
• Students need to have access to Inna, MH’s learning management system, as it is an
integral part of this course
• Major written assignments are submitted electronically to Inna via Turnitin. Feed-
back on these is also provided electronically via Inna.
• Students should check their e-mail once every working day for important announce-
ments.
• Students may use their own devices (notebooks, tablets and smartphones) in class,
provided that they are used only to support their studies and do not interfere
with normal social interactions in the classroom.
• Smartphones are banned during practicals for safety reasons, unless needed
and explicitly allowed e.g. for data collection.
Weekly schedule (tentative)
Table 1: IBDP mathematics AA; Year 1 fall semester

– Topic 1. Number and Algebra (5-6 weeks) –

Date SL & HL both HL only, Fridays
Week 1 21/08–25/08 1.1 Numbers – rounding – scientific form 1.8 Methods of proof
1.2 Sequences in general 1.9 Mathematical Induction
Week 2 28/08–01/09 1.3 Arithmetic sequences 1.9 Mathematical Induction

Week 3 04/09–08/09 1.3 Geometric sequences 1.10 Systems of linear equations

Week 4 11/09–15/09 1.5% change – financial applications 1.10 Systems of linear equations

Week 5 18/09–22/09 1.6 Binomial theorem (a + b)n 1.11 Complex numbers – basic operations

Week 6 25/09–29/09 1.7 Deductive proof 1.12 Roots of polynomials with real coefficients
Exam I, Tue 03/10, Text: What has been covered thus far

– Topic 2. Funcions (10 weeks) –

Week 7 02/10–06/10 2.1 Lines (or linear functions) 2.11 Polynomial functions
Week 8 09/10–12/10 2.2 Quadratics (or quadratic functions) No class, fall break
Week 9 17/10–20/10 2.3 Functions, domain, range, graph 2.12 Sum and product of roots
Week 10 23/10–27/10 2.4 Composition of functions: f ◦ g 2.13 Rational functions – Partial fractions
2.5 The inverse function: f−1
Exam II, Mon 31/10, Text: What has been covered since E I
Week 11 30/10–03/11 2.6 Transformation of functions 2.14 Polynomial and rational inequalities
Week 12 06/10–10/11 2.3 Asymptotes 2.15 Modulus equations and inequalities
Week 13 13/11–17/11 2.8 Exponents – the exponential function y = ax 2.15 Modulus equations and inequalities
Week 14 20/11–24/11 2.9 Logarithms – the logarithmic function y = loga x 2.16 Symmetries of f(x) – More transformations.
Week 15 27/11–01/12 2.10 Exponential equations 2.16 Symmetries of f(x) – More transformations.