IBDP Mathematics AA Topic 1-A Unit Planner | Number Systems, Indices & Scientific Notation

Complete unit planner for IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches Topic 1-A: Number Systems, Indices & Scientific Notation. Covers number systems, exponent laws, surds, rational exponents, and scientific notation. Designed for combined SL/HL classrooms.

What’s inside?

7 complete lesson plans – 75-minute structured lessons.

Lesson 1: Real number system (N⊂Z⊂Q⊂R), irrational numbers, HL proof by contradiction (√2∉Q).
Lesson 2: Recurring decimals to fractions (0.9̄=1 debate).
Lesson 3: Exponent laws from first principles.
Lesson 4: Rational exponents (root-first strategy).
Lesson 5: Surd arithmetic and rationalisation (HL conjugates).
Lesson 6: Scientific notation, significant figures, magnitude reasoning.
Lesson 7: Review, consolidation and summative assessment.

For the complete Topic 1 Number and Algebra (8 unit planners and 56 lesson plans), please visit https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13494093

Each lesson includes – Learning outcomes (SL/HL differentiation), cross-curricular hook, prior knowledge check (with diagnostic questions), direct instruction with worked examples, student activities (card sorts, error detection, group problem-solving), HL extension tasks, IB exam connection, formative assessment (exit tickets, mini-whiteboard checks), homework, teacher notes.

SL/HL differentiation – HL: proof by contradiction (√2 irrational), rationalising binomial surd denominators with conjugates, complex surd expressions, density of rationals/irrationals.

Assessment – Formative: exit tickets, card sort, error detection, peer GDC verification, peer teaching. Summative: 25-mark SL test + 6-mark HL extension (Paper 1 style: no GDC, exact answers, full working).

Resources – Oxford IB Mathematics AA, Cambridge IB Mathematics AA, IB Questionbank, Desmos, GeoGebra, YouTube (Powers of Ten), NRICH.

Cross-curricular hooks – Astronomy (Proxima Centauri), Biology (human cells/bacteria), Chemistry (Avogadro’s number, pH), Physics (pendulum formula, transistors, DNA).

Perfect for: Teachers delivering T1-A across 3 weeks. Combined SL/HL classrooms. Building exact algebraic fluency for Paper 1.

Tags:
#IBMaths #MathematicsAA #Topic1 #NumberAndAlgebra #SL #HL #UnitPlanner #NumberSystems #IrrationalNumbers #ExponentLaws #Surds #RationalExponents #ScientificNotation #ProofByContradiction #RecurringDecimals #FA2025 #LessonPlans #SummativeAssessment #IBTeacher #DPMathematics