Choosing your IB Math IA topic can feel harder than the math itself.
You want something original, but not too complicated. Personal, but still mathematical. Interesting, but still score high on the rubric.
This guide will help you:
- Understand what makes a strong IA topic
- Avoid common mistakes
- Choose a topic that can realistically score well
- See 300+ practical idea categories you can adapt
Let’s make this simple.
Table of Contents
First: What the IB Actually Rewards
Before choosing a topic, understand this:
The IA is not about choosing the most advanced math.
It’s about:
- Clear communication
- Mathematical understanding
- Personal engagement
- Logical structure
- Reflection
A simple topic done well can score higher than a complicated topic done poorly.
Keep that in mind as you read the ideas below.
Step 1: Pick the Right Type of Topic
Strong IA topics usually fall into one of these categories:
1. Modeling Real-World Situations
You create a mathematical model to represent something real.
Examples:
- Modeling population growth
- Modeling spread of a virus
- Optimizing business profit
- Modeling traffic flow
This works especially well for AI students.
2. Statistical Investigations
You collect or analyze data and draw conclusions.
Examples:
- Correlation between study time and grades
- Reaction time vs caffeine intake
- Social media usage and sleep patterns
- Sports performance analysis
This is ideal for AI HL and SL students.
3. Optimization Problems
You try to find maximum or minimum values.
Examples:
- Best angle to shoot a basketball
- Optimal packaging design
- Maximizing area with fixed perimeter
- Minimizing cost in production
Great for both AA and AI.
4. Pure Mathematical Exploration
You explore a mathematical concept deeply.
Examples:
- Exploring the Fibonacci sequence
- Fractals and iteration
- Complex numbers in geometry
- Investigating different proof methods
Better suited for AA students, but possible in AI HL.
What Makes a Bad IA Topic?
Avoid these:
- Topics that are too broad
(“Exploring calculus” is not a topic.) - Topics with no real math
(Describing a theory without calculations.) - Topics copied from the internet
Examiners recognize recycled ideas. - Topics beyond your level
If you don’t understand it, don’t choose it.
300+ IB Math IA Topic Ideas (Organized by Category)
Instead of listing 300 random titles, here are idea clusters you can adapt into hundreds of variations.
You can personalize almost any of these.
A. Statistics & Data Analysis (AI-Friendly)
- Correlation between exercise and academic performance
- Social media use vs anxiety levels
- Predicting stock price movement
- Analyzing football player performance
- Modeling rainfall patterns
- Income inequality in different regions
- Study hours vs predicted IB scores
- Sleep duration vs productivity
- Survey-based behavioral studies
Each of these can branch into 10–20 variations depending on data.
B. Business & Economics-Based Topics
- Price elasticity modeling
- Revenue optimization
- Supply-demand curve modeling
- Inflation trend analysis
- Break-even analysis
- Loan repayment modeling
- Compound interest comparison
- Risk analysis using probability
Very strong for AI HL students.
C. Sports Mathematics
- Projectile motion in basketball
- Penalty kick probability
- Sprint acceleration modeling
- Tennis serve angle optimization
- Player ranking system analysis
- Comparing scoring distributions
Sports topics often show strong personal engagement.
D. Health & Biology
- Modeling spread of disease
- Heart rate vs exercise intensity
- BMI statistical study
- Drug concentration decay modeling
- Population growth models
- Survival analysis
Great for students interested in medicine or biology.
E. Technology & Computer Science
- Cryptography using modular arithmetic
- Algorithm efficiency comparison
- Image compression math
- Machine learning regression basics
- Network modeling
More suitable for HL students comfortable with abstraction.
F. Geometry & Design
- Optimizing packaging shapes
- Bridge structure modeling
- Architecture symmetry analysis
- Fractal-based design
- Golden ratio in art
These can score well if structured clearly.
How to Narrow Your Topic in 3 Questions
Ask yourself:
- Can I explain this math clearly?
- Can I collect or access real data?
- Can I go beyond basic textbook calculations?
If the answer to all three is yes, you likely have a strong IA topic.
AI HL vs AA: Does Topic Choice Matter?
Yes.
AI students tend to score best with:
- Statistical modeling
- Real-world applications
- Data interpretation
AA students often succeed with:
- Algebraic proofs
- Advanced calculus
- Theoretical investigations
Choose a topic aligned with your course strengths.
How Complex Should Your IA Be?
Here’s the truth.
It should be:
- Slightly challenging
- Understandable to you
- Deep enough to show analysis
- Not so hard that you get stuck
A well-explained regression model can outperform poorly explained differential equations.
Depth > difficulty.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Choosing topic before understanding rubric
- Making it too descriptive
- Not showing enough reflection
- Forgetting limitations of model
- Ignoring real-world interpretation
Your IA must show thinking, not just calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions About IB Math IA Topics
1. How many IB Math IA topics should I brainstorm before choosing one?
Aim for at least 5–10 ideas before finalizing. Comparing options helps you see which topic has enough mathematical depth and personal engagement.
2. Can I reuse an IA topic from the internet?
You can use inspiration, but copying topics directly is risky. Examiners see repeated themes often. Personalizing your investigation and using your own data is strongly recommended.
3. How difficult should my IB Math IA topic be?
It should be challenging but manageable. The IB rewards clarity and understanding more than extreme difficulty. A well-explained statistical model can score higher than advanced math that isn’t clearly understood.
4. Is a statistics-based IA good for AI HL students?
Yes. AI HL strongly emphasizes statistics and modeling. Topics involving regression, probability distributions, and hypothesis testing often align well with the course structure.
5. Can I change my IA topic later?
You can change it early in the process. However, once you’ve invested significant time and collected data, switching becomes difficult. Validate your idea before fully committing.
Need Help Choosing the Right IA Topic?
If you’re unsure whether your idea is strong enough, or you want structured guidance before committing to a topic, getting support early can save weeks of stress.
Inside our IB Math support membership, you’ll get:
- IA topic validation
- Structured IA frameworks
- Step-by-step modeling guidance
- Feedback principles that align with IB marking criteria
- Topic refinement strategies
If you want clarity instead of second-guessing your topic choice, explore the full support system here:
https://mathzem.com/membership-pricing/
Choosing the right IA topic can be the difference between a 5 and a 7.
Final Advice
Don’t chase originality for the sake of it.
Chase clarity.
Pick something you genuinely find interesting. Make sure the math is solid. Show your reasoning. Reflect honestly.
That’s how strong IAs are built.
