• IB DP Page

      IB DP

      Detailed comparison of Analysis & Approaches (AA) and Applications & Interpretation (AI) 

      Course Focus & Pathways

      IB DP AA (Analysis & Approaches):
      Pure mathematics, abstract reasoning, rigorous proof. For students interested in mathematics, engineering, physical sciences.
      IB DP AI (Applications & Interpretation):
      Practical applications, real-world problems, technology use. For social sciences, biology, medicine, statistics, business.
       

      Key to Symbols & Levels

      1 Covered at more foundational level than IB DP

      (HL Only) Higher Level content only

      (SL & HL) Both Standard and Higher Levels

      Topic Area Subtopic IB DP - Analysis & Approaches (AA) IB DP - Applications & Interpretation (AI)
      Number & Algebra Number Systems Real numbers (SL & HL) Real numbers (SL & HL)
      Sequences and series (SL & HL) Sequences and series (SL & HL)
      Binomial theorem (SL & HL) Binomial theorem (SL & HL)
      Proof by induction (HL Only) Complex numbers (HL Only)
      Complex numbers (HL Only)  
      Exponents & Logs Laws of exponents and logarithms (SL & HL) Laws of exponents and logarithms (SL & HL)
      Solving exponential/log equations (SL & HL) Solving exponential/log equations (SL & HL)
        Natural logarithm (SL & HL)
      Complex Numbers Forms of complex numbers (HL Only) (Only in AI HL, see left)
        De Moivre's theorem (HL Only)    
        Roots of polynomials (HL Only)    
      Functions Linear, Quadratics Forms of linear/quadratic equations (SL & HL) Mathematical models (SL & HL)
      Graphs and properties (SL & HL) Graphs and interpretation (SL & HL)
      Discriminant and vertex (SL & HL) Solving equations (SL & HL)
      Solving equations (SL & HL)  
      Functions & Graphs Domain and range (SL & HL) Domain and range (SL & HL)
      Composite and inverse functions (SL & HL) Composite and inverse functions (SL & HL)
      Transformations (SL & HL) Transformations (SL & HL)
      Rational, exponential, trig functions (SL & HL) Modelling with functions (SL & HL)
      Polynomials Factor and remainder theorem (SL & HL) Factor and remainder theorem (SL & HL)
      Graphs and zeros of polynomials (SL & HL) Graphs of polynomials (SL & HL)
      Complex roots (HL Only) Mathematical models (SL & HL)
      Geometry & Trigonometry Geometry Right-angled and non-right trigonometry (SL & HL) Right-angled and non-right trigonometry (SL & HL)
      Unit circle (SL & HL) Area of triangle (SL & HL)
      Trigonometric identities (SL & HL) Unit circle (SL & HL)
      Solving trig equations (SL & HL)  
      Trig Functions Circular functions (SL & HL) Modelling with trig functions (SL & HL)
      Trigonometric identities (SL & HL) Solving trig equations (SL & HL)
      Solving trig equations (SL & HL)  
      Reciprocal and inverse functions (HL Only)  
      Vectors 2D & 3D vectors (SL & HL) 2D & 3D vectors