Why the IA Introduction Sets the Tone for Your Whole Essay
The first page of your Math IA does more than introduce your topic — it shapes the examiner’s first impression of your work.
A strong introduction makes your exploration feel focused, logical, and engaging right from the start.
A weak one, however, can make even strong mathematics look unfocused or underdeveloped.
Your introduction needs to show three things immediately:
- What you’re exploring.
- Why it matters.
- How you’ll approach it mathematically.
That’s the formula for a perfect IA opening, and RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Guide and Exemplars show exactly how to do it.
Quick-Start Checklist
Before writing your Math IA introduction:
- Open RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Guide and read the “Introduction” section.
- Review one or two top-scoring IA Exemplars for tone and structure.
- Define your research question clearly in one sentence.
- Write a short paragraph explaining why the topic is personally meaningful.
- End with a preview of your mathematical approach.
Step 1: Define a Clear and Focused Research Question
Your IA should revolve around a single, precise question — not a vague theme.
Weak: “How is math used in music?”
Strong: “How can logarithmic scales model musical pitch frequencies in the equal-tempered scale?”
The second question is measurable, mathematical, and researchable.
RevisionDojo’s Research Question Builder tool helps refine your question until it’s IB-appropriate — specific enough to guide analysis but flexible enough for creativity.
Step 2: Explain the Personal Connection
Examiners value genuine curiosity.
Your introduction should include a short paragraph explaining why this topic interests you.
Example:
“As a pianist, I was fascinated by how musical notes relate mathematically through frequencies. This curiosity led me to investigate whether the spacing between pitches follows a logarithmic pattern.”
RevisionDojo’s Exemplars show how top students link personal interest to rigorous math without sounding informal or emotional.
Step 3: Establish Context and Relevance
Next, explain where your question fits in the real world or in mathematics.
Ask yourself:
- Why does this topic matter?
- Who uses this kind of math (scientists, economists, engineers)?
- How does this connect to IB syllabus concepts?
For instance:
“Understanding logarithmic patterns in sound waves links directly to the IB Math AI topic of exponential and logarithmic functions, as well as real-world applications in acoustics.”
RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Guide includes a “Context Builder Worksheet” to help you write this part naturally.
Step 4: Preview Your Mathematical Plan
Examiners want to see early evidence that your IA will involve real mathematics, not just description.
End your introduction with a roadmap of the techniques you’ll use.
Example:
“To explore this question, I will use exponential functions to model sound frequencies, logarithmic transformations to linearize relationships, and graphical analysis to compare theoretical and real data.”
This shows foresight and organization — qualities examiners associate with top-band IAs.
Step 5: Keep It Concise and Structured
The introduction should be around 250–350 words — long enough to establish clarity, short enough to stay engaging.
Recommended structure:
- Opening context – What inspired the topic.
- Research question – One clear, focused sentence.
- Relevance – Why the topic matters mathematically or practically.
- Overview – What methods and data you’ll use.
RevisionDojo’s Exemplars follow this rhythm precisely, making their introductions feel polished and natural.
Step 6: Use Clear, Confident Language
Avoid filler words and vague phrasing like “I want to explore” or “Math is very interesting because…”
Instead, use direct academic tone:
- “This investigation aims to model…”
- “The purpose of this exploration is to determine…”
- “This IA examines whether…”
RevisionDojo’s IA Writing Style Guide includes sentence templates that sound professional and meet IB communication criteria.
Step 7: Review Against IB Criteria
Criterion A (Presentation) and Criterion B (Mathematical Communication) are heavily influenced by your introduction.
Before finalizing it, ask:
- Is my topic clearly stated?
- Does it show mathematical direction?
- Does it sound structured and professional?
You can upload your draft to RevisionDojo’s IA Feedback Tool, which highlights missing elements according to IB’s official rubric.
Step 8: Compare With Exemplars Before Finalizing
Finally, read your introduction alongside one or two RevisionDojo IA Exemplars.
Notice how top students:
- Balance personality with precision.
- Transition smoothly into methodology.
- Use consistent mathematical language early.
This final comparison ensures your introduction feels like it belongs in the top band before you move on to the next section.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long should the Math IA introduction be?
Roughly 250–350 words. Keep it concise but detailed enough to explain your topic, motivation, and plan.
2. Do I need to include formulas in my introduction?
Not necessarily. Only mention mathematical methods — the detailed work belongs in the exploration section.
3. Can I start my IA without a fully developed question?
You can, but it’s risky. Use RevisionDojo’s Research Question Builder to refine your idea before drafting. It saves time later.
Final Thoughts
A great introduction makes your IA feel organized, mature, and meaningful from the first paragraph.
With RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Guide and Exemplars, you’ll learn how to communicate curiosity, context, and mathematical purpose — exactly what examiners love to see.
It’s not about sounding complex — it’s about sounding clear.
