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IBDP Math AA Course
NEW IB DP MATH AA Course (Analysis and Approaches)
Part 1
Syllabus changes to look out for in the upcoming assessment year
Recent syllabus changes adopted by the IBO.
Contrary to most other IB DP subjects, the IB DP Mathematics examination
sessions did not change due to Covid-19. No components were removed or
amended for the external examinations. Only in-session mitigation will be
applied, meaning that changes are made, as necessary, during standardization,
marking, and grade awarding on the final written math exams.
-AA HL is an extension of AA SL and is required (as a university
requirement) for students who would like to opt for math-intensive degrees
such as pure mathematics, physics, or engineering.
-AA SL is needed for other science degrees, accountancy, or economics,
which still require a certain level of proficiency in pure mathematics.
-Internal assessment (IA) has a 20% weightage in the final grade for both HL
and SL, and the depth and breadth required for HL are higher than for SL.
Both the syllabuses were decreased from 6 topics to 5 topics by eliminating
vectors completely in SL. In HL now, only as subtopic.
The new additions are:
SL Syllabus:
-Algebraic equality proof (LHS to RHS side proof)
-Correlation and regression
-Concepts in sampling and displaying graphs
HL Syllabus:
-Binominal theorem with fractional powers
-Partial fractions
Author : Dr Hans-Rüdiger Zimmermann March 2022
email:hrz@[Link]
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-DeMoivre theorem in complex numbers
-Rational functions in more depth
-L'Hospital rule and application
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-Graphs of 𝑦 = |𝑓(𝑥)|, 𝑓 (|𝑥|), (𝑓 (𝑥 )) , 𝑓 (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏),
𝑓(𝑥)
-Maclaurin Series
-Differential equations
Eliminated from the new AAHL syllabus are the Poisson distribution and
discrete mathematics (groups and graph theory).
Paper 3 is no longer an option paper, with a focus on investigation and
problem solving. Paper 3 is similar in its form to the IBO MYP Paper 3 and
has the same aim in investigative mathematics and application of
mathematical knowledge. The former Further Math HL course has
disappeared completely from the new IB DP Math Courses
Author : Dr Hans-Rüdiger Zimmermann March 2022
email:hrz@[Link]
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Part 2
NOV 21 Math IB DP AAHL Paper 1 to Paper 3
Highlights, details on questions and comments
NOV21 is indeed a step up from the previous papers in N20 and M20.
In total, there are 90 questions and sub-questions to solve within 5 hours.
New syllabus additions appear in 24 questions and sub-questions.
Paper 1
120 minutes, no technology allowed, 9 short questions and 3 extended
questions, 20 % grade weight
Highlights:
𝑎𝑥+4
Q2(d): Given the Rational function 𝑔(𝑥 ) =
3−𝑥
−1
If 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥) find the value of 𝑎. A relative new type of question
Q4: Conditional Probability and Independence. We have 2 boxes with white
and red balls mixed. The intersection is a little bit tricky.
Q6: LHS to RHS proof of an algebraic equation. It involves substitution of x =
sin(2θ) and solving a quadratic equation
𝑑𝑦 𝑙𝑛2𝑥 2𝑦
Q8: Solve the linear differential equation = 2 −
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
One can multiply both sides with 𝑥 2 , then use the product rule on the left side
and integrate ln(2𝑥 ) by partial integration. Or use the integration factor
method 𝑒 ∫ 𝑝(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
Q9: Binominal expansion with fractions, positive and negative. Here the
fractions are 0.5 and -0.5
Author : Dr Hans-Rüdiger Zimmermann March 2022
email:hrz@[Link]
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The challenging parts in this question are 1) the combination of 2 binomials
with rational powers in 1 expression, 2) part b asks to find the condition of x
to make the binomial valid.
Q10 Kinematics with the velocity function 𝑣 = 4 + 4 − 3 𝑡 2
From velocity function to finding distance , absolute value signs are required.
Q11 (a) Proof of mathematical induction on 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 𝑒 𝑥 . Determine its
Maclaurin series and a special 𝑥 → 0 limit value of a rational function.
The tricky part in this question is part c). Since the denominator is 𝑥 9 , the
students would see a need to apply L’Hopital rule. However, to reduce 𝑥 9 to a
constant, students need to repeat the differentiation multiple times. Instead,
they should use the answer from part b to replace the corresponding term in
part c) then they would realize that they can simplify the expression by a lot
and find the limit much faster.
Q12 Complex numbers, find the roots of (𝑧 − 1)3 = 𝑖 𝑧 3 and use the
DeMoivre theorem
All the other questions are standard and straightforward:
𝜋 3𝜋
Q1 : Integrate 𝑦 = cos(𝑥 − ) with 𝑦 = 2 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 =
4 4
Q2: Rational function 𝑓(𝑥 ) = (2𝑥 + 4)/(3 − 𝑥), find asymptotes, intercepts,
do curve sketching
Q3: Solve a log equation. A change of base is necessary.
Q5: Find the tangent line, apply the chain rule to ℎ(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 ))
Q7: Determine the values of p in a quadratic equation for two distinct real
roots. Express one root in a given form if p=4
Paper 2
120 minutes, technology required, 8 short questions
3 extended questions, weight 30 %
Highlights
Author : Dr Hans-Rüdiger Zimmermann March 2022
email:hrz@[Link]
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Q2: Triangle ABC, find smallest possible perimeter.
It is not a min-max calculus question, as suggested by the word smallest.
The solution consists of two triangles. Take the smaller one and use the sine
law.
Q3 Binominal probability distribution, defective lamps with p=0.05. Apply
conditional probability, the intersection is a little bit tricky.
Q6 Prove the identity of an algebraic cubic equation and apply sum and
product rule for quadratic equations.
LHS-RHS proof. This question is a classic example of a short question having
2 parts in which part a) is a proof question and to solve part b), student should
really find a way to apply the property from the 1st part.
Q7: Given is the probability density function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = arccos(𝑥) . Find the
median and determine 𝑎 if 𝑃(|𝑋 − 𝑚|) ≤ 𝑎) = 0.3
Q8 A curve expressed as implicit function 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑦𝑙𝑛(𝑥𝑦). Show that 𝑦
solves a given differential equation and find tangent line equation at x=1
Q10 Given is the rational function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = (𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12)/(2𝑥 − 15).
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Express in partial fractions and integrate.
𝑓(𝑥)
Q11 Vectors. Π1 , Π2 , Π3 are three planes, find equations, intersections,
reflections , line equations and special points
All the other questions are standard and straightforward:
Q1: A table with 8 columns and 2 rows, 8 natural numbers in each row. Find
correlation coefficient r and regression line, study data change consequences.
Q4 Areas in a half circle given, show that 𝜃 = 2sin(𝜃) and solve for 𝜃 .
Q5: Find sum of infinite geometric series, find 𝑆∞ and the least value of 𝑛
such that 𝑆∞ - 𝑆𝑛 < 0.001
Q9 𝐻 (𝑡) = asin(𝑏(𝑡 − 𝑐 )) + 𝑑 is used to model the water height of a harbor.
Find 𝑎, 𝑑 , 𝐻(12: 00) and the smallest value of c
Author : Dr Hans-Rüdiger Zimmermann March 2022
email:hrz@[Link]
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Paper 3
60 minutes, technology required, 2 extended response problem-solving
questions, weight 30%
Highlights
Q1: We investigate the two hyperbolic complex functions: 𝑓 (𝑧) =
(𝑒 𝑧 + 𝑒 −𝑧 )/2 and 𝑓 (𝑧) = (𝑒 𝑧 − 𝑒 −𝑧 )/2. Show , find and simplify
algebraic identities for 𝑓 (𝑡), 𝑔(𝑡), 𝑓 (𝑖𝑢) , and 𝑓(𝑖𝑣 ). Basic algebraic
expression are verified, second derivatives required, substitution and
hyperbola sketching are required
Q1(g) : The hyperbola is capable of being rotated into another hyperbola. The
trick here is to use the complex plane and multiply the points of the first
hyperbola with 𝑧 = (1 + 𝑖)/√2 . This gives a rotation of all points to the left
by 45 degrees in the second hyperbola.
Q2: Two coupled linear differential equations are given:
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= 𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑦
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Solve equations, differentiations, , verifying results, substitutions and
expressions within 10 sub-questions , with guidance and self-checks,
straightforward to do.
Author : Dr Hans-Rüdiger Zimmermann March 2022
email:hrz@[Link]
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Part 3
Improve your exam performance
Students who took Math AA HL mostly have a high interest and are dedicated
and motivated.
My best tips and recommendations are:
- Memorize all the math formulas in the Math AA Exam Formula booklet.
Write them down, again and again. If you understood the method and concept
you will easily memorize the formula.
-Know in depth how you will be marked by examiners. Important annotations
are:
M1 indicates a Method Mark,
A1 indicates an Achievement Mark
R1 a Reasoning Mark.
If a mark is shown in brackets, e.g., (M1), it implies that the “mark can be
given even if the method has not been shown but is implied by subsequent
student working”.
AG indicates “As Given” and appears in the answer. So , no mark will be
given.
-Practice a great number of questions and understand the concepts. Study the
specimen papers, use HL past papers from 2014 onwards and the new May21,
Nov21 exam papers. For paper 3 look also at MYP paper 3.
Pay special attention to:
-Binominal theorem with fractional exponents
2 1
-Graphs of 𝑦 = |𝑓(𝑥)|, 𝑓(|𝑥|), (𝑓 (𝑥 )) , 𝑓(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏),
𝑓(𝑥)
-DeMoivre Theorem in complex numbers
-Rational functions in more depth
-Differential equations
-MacLaurin Series
Author : Dr Hans-Rüdiger Zimmermann March 2022
email:hrz@[Link]
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-During the exam do algebra questions first, then geometry, functions and
calculus.
-Read all questions carefully, paying attention to command terms.
-Keep your answers as short and clear as possible. Double-check all numerical
values and units. All numerical answers should be given in three significant
figures
Author : Dr Hans-Rüdiger Zimmermann March 2022
email:hrz@[Link]