Things Seen On Past IB Exams
This page is a collection of tasks and questions that I have seen the IB ask on past exams. I have organized them roughly by topic. This could make for a quick check list while studying for your exams!
This list is by no means complete. Plus the IB ALWAYS comes out with some surprise questions.
I will add to the list as I teach through the syllabus and review past exams. This page has been ignored for awhile, but it's back on my radar (Feb 2013).
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Quadratics
- Find the vertex given the form $y=ax^2+bx+c$
- Find x and y intercepts
- Find or write the equation for the axis of symmetry
- Given the axis of symmetry find the y-coordinate of the vertex
- Write an equation for the quadratic given the zeros (from a graph)
- Use a third data point (not one of the zeros) to find the āpā in $p(x-r)(x-q)$
Exponential & Logarithmic Functions
- Given $a^x$ solve for x $x= b \cdot log_a c$
- Given logarithmic function find inverse - and the reverse
- Find range of exponential and or domain of logs
- Composite function of $a^x$ and $log_a x$
- Simplifying logs: Solve for x $log_2 x + log_2 (x-2) =3$
- Solve $a \cdot ln (4-a^2)=0$
- Given data points find k for $e^{kx}$
- Asymptotes of $a^x$ and $log_a x$
Derivative Calculus
- Find the gradient at a specific point $(i.e. \: x=2)$on a function given the function
- Calculating the 1st and 2nd derivatives of a given function
- Derivative of $\frac{1}{sin^2 x}$
- Identifying a inflexion point
- Given max and min of $f(x)$ find x-int of $f'(x)$
- Identify when $f'(x)$ is positive, negative or zero from a graph
- Curvature from graph (concave up or down) or from value of $f''(x)$
Matrices
- Finding inverses (2x2 by hand, 3x3 with GDC)
- Solving matrix equations of the forms: $AX=B$, $AX+X=B$ and $AX+B=C$
- Determinants of 2x2 and 3x3 (with and with out GDC)
- Solving systems of equations
- Writing system of equations from points on a function given the form of the function.
If you have other tasks/question types to answer leave a comment below with a BRIEF description of the task or question and the general topic covered.
page revision: 15, last edited: 26 Feb 2013 11:28
Hi there,
I am teaching IB for the first time and have been asked to come up with dates for the portfolio tasks, all I know is that you should do one each year, any suggestions?
Help would be appreciated.
Kind Regards
Malcolm
Malcolm,
Sorry I missed your post, its a new site and I must not have the setting quite right…
As for the IA I would recommend doing at least 2 each year. Give them a chance to practice and get feedback. I suspect their performance would be significantly better during year 2. This is my first time at the rodeo with Math SL, but with physics it was crucial that the students get multiple chances to work on the IA.
I am doing a portfolio with my year 2's starting Friday. Unfortunately I will have to work out the kinks with the 2's… I will do a portfolio with the 1's after winter break and then maybe a month before the year of the school year (give me time to mark it).
Ideally I would like to do 3-4 portfolios each year, but it would be hard to cram them in.
Hope that helps, even if its late.
HS
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