The Math Studies Project

for Internal AssessmentA good project should be able to be

followed by a non-mathematician and be

self explanatory all the way through.

Length

The project should not be more than 2000

words. However, it is the quality of the

mathematics and the processes used and

described that is important, rather than the

number of words written. The student is

expected to put in the required time allocated

for the project. A simple project does not

receive many marks.

Commitment

The project is a substantial piece of work (25

hours class time plus many more hours outside

the class)

The project should demonstrate a commitment

of time and effort by the student

Choice of Topic

The choice of topic must give students

sufficient scope to demonstrate their

mathematical ability.

Statistical

Chi-Squared test for Independence

Correlation/Linear regression

Normal distribution

Student ‘t’ test (not in MSSL syllabus)

Spearman’s rank order correlation (not in MSSL

syllabus)

Choice of Topic

Algebraic Modelling

Quadratic

Exponential

Trigonometric (no longer in syllabus)

Calculus

i. Optimization Problems

ii. Modelling

Choice of Topic

Number and algebra

i Sequences and series

ii Linear programming (not in MSSL syllabus)

Sets, Logic and Probability

i Venn diagrams

ii Probabilities

Financial Mathematics

Title page

The Project must have a clear title

Candidate’s name

Candidate’s number

Date

Subject

Teacher’s Name

Table of contents

Page numberring where each part of the project

can be found

A: Introduction

Task: What is the aim of the project?

The task must be clearly stated and any relevant background information given.

Plan: What must be done to achieve this aim?

Include as much detail as is necessary to be clear

Include a description of the method of data collection, including any sampling techniques

State what techniques are to be used at each stage and the reason why these techniques are being used

Remember to do exactly what you state in your plan

B: Information / Measurement The information/measurements collected may come from a survey, internet,

calculation, etc

All sampling processes should be completely described

The information/measurements must be sufficient in quantity

When the information/measurements is to be split, as in the chi squared test, more than 80 pieces of data is necessary to avoid small expected values, rendering the test invalid.

The information/measurements must be relevant

The information/measurements must be organised

The information/measurements should be reorganised each time, to suit calculations being done eg. Male, female categories

If a questionnaire is used then include this in the project

A questionnaire should be designed to collect multidimensional mathematical data. This will ensure the quality of the data.

Raw data must be included to determine the accuracy of calculations. If the raw data is not included then the moderator cannot check the accuracy of the mathematical processes used.

C: Mathematical Processes

Include at least two relevant simple math processes. If there are no simple processes then the first further process will be counted as simple. If there is only one simple process then the next further process will be counted as the second simple one.

Calculations performed only using technology are counted as simple.

It is important that the simple processes are relevant otherwise no more than 2 marks can be awarded for this criterion.

C: Mathematical Processes

• What is the mathematical process used? Give an explanation of mathematical process used.• Why is this particular process useful? • What is the relevance/validity of the mathematical process?• Always state formulae used and do one calculation by hand. The GDC can be used to perform further similar calculations.• Always check the accuracy of your results• Interpret your results/draw conclusions from the results of the calculations

C: Mathematical Processes Apply relevant further processes as thoroughly as for simple

process. Make sure that you always perform the calculation once by hand before

using technology.

Interpret the results/draw conclusions from the results of the calculations

Comment on the validity of the results

Check the accuracy of the results

For Chi-squared tests to be valid: Frequencies must be used, not raw data or percentages

All of the expected cells should have a number more than 5

If the degree of freedom is 1 then Yates continuity correction must be applied.

For Linear correlation If the scatter graph shows that there is no correlation then the student

can calculate the correlation coefficient to verify this but it would not be valid to find the equation of the regression line if the correlation coefficient is weak.

D: Interpretation of results

Always give a thorough and detailed analysis and

discussion of results

All the interpretations and/or conclusions must

be consistent with the processes used.

If the project is very simple then full marks

cannot be awarded for this criterion.

E: Validity

Validity of mathematical processes used

Validity of results obtained from these processes

Recognise any limitations that might apply

Make a realistic suggestion for improvement

If the candidate feels that validity is not an issue

then this needs to be fully justified.

F: Structure and Communication

The project should include discussion in the body of the work

The project should be presented correctly and in a systematic manner.

The project must reflect an appropriate commitment in order to receive more than 1 mark for this criterion.

All sources should be acknowledged

Include website addresses in bibliography

Include raw data in body of document or in appendix

E: Notation and Terminology

Make sure that all variables are defined

Make sure that all the mathematical notation is

correct

Make sure that all the terminology is correct

A simple project with little or no notation and

terninology cannot receive more than 1 mark for

this criterion.

Conclusion

Did the data and calculations support your task?

Have you done everything that you said you

would in your plan?

Discuss any limitations and its applicability

within the project.

Mention any scope for improvement /extension

of your project

Bibliography

State websites

Footnotes as necessary

Other sources of information such as books,

magazines, etc.

Appendices

Raw data collected can be placed here