The Math Studies

Project for Internal

Assessment
A good project should be able
to be followed by a nonmathematician and be self
explanatory all the way
through.

Length

The project does not have a word

limit. It is the quality of the
mathematics and the processes
used and described that is
important, rather than the number
of words written.

Commitment

The project is a substantial piece of

work (25 hours class time plus
several 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
Pearsons product-moment correlation
coefficient

Choice of Topic

Algebraic Modelling
Quadratic
Exponential
Trigonometric

Calculus
i.
Optimization Problems
ii.
Modelling

Choice of Topic

Number and algebra

i
Sequences and series
ii
Linear programming
Sets, Logic and Probability
i
Venn diagrams
ii
Probabilities
Financial Mathematics

Title page

The Project must have a clear title

Candidates name
Candidates number
Date
Subject
Teachers 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 focus on a distinct objective with a
clear hypothesis or direction
The task must be clearly stated
Plan: What must be done to achieve this aim?
Include as much detail as is necessary to be clear
Include a description of method of data collection
including any sampling techniques, this will be
useful for validity
Include a description of the mathematical
processes to be used and the reason for choosing
these processes

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

survey, internet, calculation, etc

The information/measurements must be sufficient in quantity
When the information/measurements is to be split, as in the
chi squared test, more than 50 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
Raw data must be included to determine the accuracy of
calculations

C: Mathematical Processes

Always include some relevant simple math

processes

What is the mathematical process used?

Explanation of mathematical technique
Why is this particular procedure useful?
Relevance/validity of mathematical technique
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 results/draw conclusions from the results
of the calculations

(Standard deviation is often calculated but not

used or commented on.)

C: Mathematical Processes

Apply relevant sophisticated processes as

thoroughly as for simple process.
Interpret results/draw conclusions from the results
of the calculations
Comment on validity of results
Check the accuracy of the results
For Chi-squared tests to be valid:
Frequencies must be used, not raw data or
percentages
No more than 20% of the expected cells should
have a number less than 5
No expected cells should have a number less than 1
For Linear correlation
There is no point in finding the correlation
coefficient or regression line if the scatter graph
shows that there is no correlation

D: Interpretation of results

Always give a thorough and detailed

analysis and discussion of results

E: Validity

Validity of mathematical processes

used
Validity of results obtained from
these processes

F: Structure and
Communication

The project should include the

discussion in the body of the work
Appropriate mathematical language
should always be used
The project should be presented
correctly and in a systematic manner.
All sources should be acknowledged
Include website addresses in
bibliography
Include raw data in body of document or
in appendix

G: Notation and
Terminology
The project
needs to include correct
mathematical notation or
terminology.
Correct
Notation
Incorrect Notation
x2

x^2 or x2

x x 2 or 2x

x *2

1.2 x 10-3

1.2E-03

X2 or x2

r2:Coefficient of determination
2402
16

or

(2402/16)

r2:Correlation coefficient
2402/16 or sqrt.

Conclusion

Did the data and calculations

support your task?
Discuss limitations in its
applicability within the project.
Scope for improvement /extension of
the project

Bibliography

State websites
Footnotes as necessary
Other sources of information

Appendices

Raw data collected can be placed

here