Attention to details

• Consistent significant figures or decimal place rounding

• Use of proper notation such as "≈" for approximations

• Avoid calculator notations such as 4*5 or x^2 or 2.3E4 etc.

• Graphs must be clear with logical scales and labeled axes

• All graphs, diagrams, and important equations must be clearly labeled

Work stands alone

• The audience is your classmates or other students of the same level of class

• Speak in the first person; DO NOT use "we"

• Do not refer to any of your assignment sheets

• Reads smoothly and effortlessly

• Answers are not numbered unless required

Single word-processed document

• Integrate an equation writing program, spreadsheets, graphing program, etc.

• Comment on everything included

• Explain steps each time a new mathematical process is used

• Avoid repetition of processes already explained

Important notes on graphs, diagrams, tables, charts, etc.

• Graphs, charts, etc. appear on the same page where they are explained

• It is okay to leave space on the bottom of a page if needed to separate each graph/table/diagram with appropriate discussions

• Use the "Insert Page-Break" feature when a new problem is started (if there is not enough space on the current page)

• Proof for comments such as "see the graph below" when the graph was accidentally moved to the next page during editing

• Avoid full-page graphs or diagrams; must be small but clear (If a graph must take up a full page, include a full discussion of it on the next page)

• Use features such as "text-wrapping" to make graphs or diagrams an integrated part of the work

• Avoid using Excel to generate graphs; instead, use GeoGebra, Desmos, or other professional graphing tools

• Pie Charts and bar graphs are usually not good tools for sophisticated analysis

• Scatter plots are okay if appropriate and relate to the topic (such as linear regression in Statistics) but not quite suitable for other purposes

Use a variety of mathematical approaches

• Use of many "kinds" of math (techniques)

• Have several possible approaches for the solution

All math used is relevant to the task

• No fluff or space-fillers

Work through all problems with pencil and calculator before writing

• Will help you to get the feel for the project so that you can start to address the main goal and insights right from the start of the paper

• Have detailed notes on the mathematical approach and the analysis of the maths

Can pretend that you are writing a chapter in a textbook

• Fully explain each step

• Creative formatting

• TAKE PRIDE!

May approach the paper as a science lab

• Write a hypothesis

• Collect data

• Analyze data

• Draw conclusions

• Discuss possible errors or improvements

Important notes about data

• Authentic data is NOT the most important thing!

• You may follow the format of science lab papers, but you DO NOT have to collect all data from your own experiment

• All data can be collected online, with proper works cited

• Raw data should be organized as concisely as possible and included in the appendix

• The main body should only include the compiled data used in the relevant calculation

• DO NOT frequently refer to the appendix because it will cut the flow of reading; if what is in the appendix is very important, move it to the body

PROOF READ for any grammatical errors and structures for references

• For math papers, the graders do not grade on the grammar errors, spelling, or structures of citations, HOWEVER they greatly impact the credibility of your paper, and the flow of reading.

IB IS LOOKING FOR STUDENT WORK! IT IS OBVIOUS WHEN IT IS NOT!!!