🧮The Mathematical Exploration

Academic Integrity

• Whenever you use other people's words, ideas, images or data you need to provide a source. If you don't provide a source you are claiming that the work is completely your own. Failing to acknowledge the sources of data in tables and figures may be considered to be plagiarism or academic dishonesty.

• Use MLA to acknowledge all quotes (e..g for definitions, especially for non-mathematical terminology) and sources of data.

• If you use data from another source in a table or figure, make sure you acknowledge the source of this data in the caption and in your works cited list.

Criterion A: Presentation - Formatting the Exploration

• 12-20 pages (numbered), not including the title page, appendices, and works cited page.

• Include a title page with a page count (not including the appendices and works cited page).

• Double-spaced.

• Equations should not be spread over two lines.

• Include an introduction and a conclusion.

• Include a works cited page.

• Check the formatting before and after you convert to PDF.

• Don't include images or graphics for decorative purposes in an academic report or essay. If you includes graphics or images, they should be there to support your argument.

Tables and Figures

• In MLA, a table is defined as any data presented in columns and rows. Everything else (charts, graphs, diagrams, other images) is classed as a figure.

• They should be referred to in the body of your report (e.g. see table 1).

• Do not include unnecessary tables or figures that are not related to your aim.

• Tables and figures should not contain excessive amounts of data if it affects the coherence and organisation of your report. If you have any additional large data sets, graphs, charts or tables that you need to include but are not integral to your report, these can be included in an appendix.

• Tables and figures should not be spread over multiple pages.

• Titles and captions for tables and figures should be on the same page as the table or figure.

• Tables and figures should be placed as close to the relevant part of the text as possible. If you refer to them in your text (e.g. see fig. 1, see table 2), then the table or figure should appear as close as possible to this.

• Create your own tables and figures rather than using screenshots taken from sources that you have used.

• Use the word "Source:" in captions to show the original source of the data, and include enough information about the source to allow the reader to easily find the complete citation in your works cited list.

• Use the phrase "Adapted from:" if you have made significant changes to the original source.

More Information about Formatting Tables and Charts

Researching the Exploration

• The exploration is not a research assignment.

• You are not required to consult an extensive array of sources.

• No research question is required (unlike the EE), but you need to have a clear aim.

• If you do use sources, make sure you acknowledge them correctly using MLA.

• All sources of data that you have not generated yourself should be cited.

• Choose academic and/or reliable sources and reflect on them critically when needed

• Every source that you include in your works cited list should be cited with an in-text citation or referred to in a caption in your report.

The following sites are accessible via the VSA eLibrary, and may be useful when choosing a topic, defining key terms, providing real world examples, or finding background information about your topic.

• Statista
• Credo
• Britannica
• Gale OneFile
• JSTOR
• JSTOR Mathematics Subject Page

Passwords for home access available here.

You may also find the following websites useful:

• Wolfram MathWorld
• Google Scholar
• Project Euclid
• ArXiv

Citing Mathematical Theorems

If a theorem can safely be considered to be common knowledge within a discipline, you don’t need to cite it. A well-known theorem such as the Pythagorean theorem (a² + b² = c²) does not generally need to be cited (when you're writing within the subject of mathematics).

What can be considered to be common knowledge? Common knowledge is anything that your peers and the examiner would be expected to know. Material that appears in your textbook is likely to be considered common knowledge, but don't hesitate to consult with your teacher or librarian if you’re unsure. If you're in any doubt, it's better to cite than not to!

For theorems that are not common knowledge, you should include an entry in your works cited list for a source that explains the theorem and you should also include an in-text citation when you refer to this theorem.

Note that mathematical expressions should be formatted using the IB prescribed ISO standard of mathematical notation that you use in class.

Here's an example taken from the MLA Style Center: (Links to an external site.)

Formatting of Mathematical Expressions

MLA Style Guide FAQ

• How do I cite raw data from a survey or poll I created? How do I cite published data?
• How do I indicate that the data in a table I have created come from several sources?