IB Math AI SL study guide
IB Math AI SL · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL (MAAI SL) is a Standard Level course in the IB Diploma Programme. It is designed for students who enjoy mathematics in real-world contexts and who plan to study subjects such as economics, psychology, business, or social sciences at university. The IB Math AI SL study guide has 5 sections and about 1,730 words.
01Number and Algebra: precision, finance and sequences
This domain tests whether you can handle quantities and money without losing accuracy: standard form and significant figures, percentage error, currency conversion, compound interest and depreciation, annuities and amortisation, arithmetic and geometric sequences and series, laws of exponents and logarithms, and small linear systems solved on the GDC. Arithmetic: uₙ = u₁ + (n−1)d and Sₙ = n/2 (2u₁ + (n−1)d).
335 words, about 2 min02Functions: models, graphs and interpretation
Functions in AI SL is about reading and building models rather than algebraic manipulation. You are expected to use function notation, state domain and range in context, sketch and describe graphs, and fit linear, quadratic and exponential models to real data, using the GDC to find roots, vertices and intersections.
373 words, about 2 min03Geometry and Trigonometry: shapes, triangles and bearings
This domain tests spatial reasoning with coordinates, solids and triangles: distance and midpoint, surface area and volume of prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres, right-angled trigonometry, the sine and cosine rules, the area formula ½ab sin C, and applications such as bearings and angles of elevation and depression. Distance = √((x₂−x₁)² + (y₂−y₁)²); midpoint = ((x₁+x₂)/2, (y₁+y₂)/2).
344 words, about 2 min04Statistics and Probability: data, chance and inference
This domain covers the full data cycle and the main probability models: sampling methods and bias, data types, measures of centre and spread, box plots and outliers, Pearson's correlation coefficient and the least-squares regression line, probability with Venn and tree diagrams, discrete random variables and expected value, the binomial and normal distributions, and the chi-squared test. A value is an outlier if it lies below Q1 − 1.5 × IQR or above Q3 + 1.5 × IQR.
337 words, about 2 min05Calculus: rates, optimisation and area
Calculus in AI SL is applied: the derivative as a gradient and a rate of change, differentiation of powers and simple functions, tangents and normals, stationary points and optimisation, kinematics, and integration as the reverse process leading to areas under curves. If f(x) = axⁿ then f′(x) = anx^(n−1); constants differentiate to zero.
341 words, about 2 min