Areas of Knowledge

Mathematics
ATTENDING-”To attain knowledge, add things
everyday”
Topic : Aok Mathematics
Students will be able to :
- understand what is Mathematics.

- understand whether Mathematics discovered or

invented.
- differentiate applied and pure Mathematics.

- make a link between Mathematics and other AoKs.

Defining Maths
Knowledge in Mathematics
• Since the beginning of mankind, man has had a tendency to
discover and invent new and useful things.
• It simply inspires passion in a person to work for one’s own
life or to invent new things which are beneficial to oneself
and others.
• Everything that is around us and we are using in our daily life
is either discovered or invented by experts.
• Most people have a misconception about the word
discovery and invention, due to which they consider the word
discovery and invention as one with this belief.
• This is not true, because discovering means uncovering
something that already exists, but the invention is not
recognized by anyone else, that is, to find something
unexpected.
Discovery
The term discovery refers to the act of
locating or uncovering for the first time
something that is already in the world but
was not previously recognized as relevant.
It is the investigation of new events,
actions, phenomena or logic and the
person/s who finds it is called the
discoverer.
• Discovery also depends on ideas,
collaborations or prior discoveries.
• Curiosity plays an important role in the
discovery, as it leads to the discovery of
things that were not previously accepted,
resulting in the invention of processes,
products, and methods.
• There are some important discoveries,
which have emerged as profound
developments in the field of knowledge
and technology.
• Example of Discovery
Newton discovered the law of gravitation
instead of the invention. The word discovery
is used here because Newton told the world
that the earth has such property, and that this
property acts according to law. It exerts a
force and pulls every object towards itself.
This property of earth was already existing as
soon as the earth was born.
Invention
• An invention can be understood as an innovative and non-
obvious method, device, process, improvement or technique.
• The idea of making something new or advanced, so as to
make people’s work easier and faster, is an invention when it
turns into reality. In short, the invention is something that
was not impressive before and is accepted as the result of
some unique intelligence.
• Sometimes a person works alone to materialize an idea, while
sometimes a group of scientists works together to invent
something useful. It can also be developed by one person, upon
which others add to it or improve it further. It plays an important
role in changing the way people work.
• Example of Invention
Charles Babbage first invented the
computer. Here the computer was made
for the first time i.e. before that it has not
existed, so we will say that Charles
Babbage invented the Computer.
Similarly, Edison invented the bulb,
Marconi invented the Radio etc.
Responses time : Mathematics Discovered or Invented?
Open message MB and click the link padlet to put your responses.
2 types believers
Why could be considered as discovered?
• Math is found in NATURE, there are
patterns everywhere.
• Fractals.
• Fibonacci’s Sequences- discovered through
rabbit population growth.
• Numbers- 1 object + another = more than 1
object.
Invented
• Language of science.
• Make mathematics to make our live easier
(to suit our purpose).
• Units of measurement.
• If we fail to create something, we find new
ways of improving our creations.
• Technology.
• The gap between discovery or invention is
not that big to understand. The basic
mantra to understand is that if discovery is
to uncover something, then invention gives
rise to one’s conscience or intellect.
• It is the curiosity within man that motivates
him to walk on a new path. If he does not
have that passion to try something new,
then his life will be spent completing
routine tasks.
Linking Maths with Reason
• Mathematics and its complicated equations are
hard to understand, and they are not the type of
equations that you can memorize and apply.
• If you don’t know why you use a certain
equation to solve a certain problem, then you
will find it difficult to be a good mathematician.
• Reason plays a big factor in helping someone
understand mathematics concepts.
• You will begin to be familiar with which
equation to apply to familiar problems and get
used to answering questions without difficulty.
• In Mathematics, people grasp concepts
differently and at different speeds.
• Sometimes it is natural, while at other times
you need to go over the solution to the
questions and use reasoning to figure out why
each step in the solution was made and where
it led you.
Aok Mahtematics and explaining TOK mini Essay
Students will be able to :
- understand AoK Mathematics (continue from the

last lesson).
- understand about how to write TOK essay.

- understand the rubric criteria for TOK Essay.

- mark the examples of M2022 TOK essay using the

rubric criteria.
 Mathematics and the real world
• Mathematicians have long posed the question, “Do

we discover mathematics in the real world, or do we

invent it with our minds?”
• Regardless of whether we consider
mathematics to be part of the structure of the
universe or to be a formal system invented by
our minds, however, it is undeniable that
mathematical equations can describe the
physical universe extremely well.
• Mathematics has sometimes been called “the
language of the universe”. Why, do you think? Is it
an international language?
Mathematics and Language
• Neither does justification for mathematical
conclusions rest on language.
• Mathematics, like the other areas of knowledge, is
shared.
• Individual mathematicians contribute their work to
a communal pool, where other mathematicians, in
a process of peer review, scrutinize it for error.
• Collective knowledge in mathematics acts
differently, though, from collective knowledge
in the sciences.
Summative : MINI TOK Essay
• Choose one of the N2022 Prescribe TOK Essay title.
• Sit-down with the same Title for BRAIN-STORMING.
• Start preparing your mini TOK Essay (800 words).
• Date of submission will be given this week by your
teachers.
• Read two samples on MB (practice to give a score
for each of them based on the TOK essay rubric)
November 2022 IB ToK Essay topics
• Topic 1. Within an area of knowledge is it more important to have credibility or power?
Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
• Topic 2. If pushed too far, can open-mindedness itself become restrictive? Discuss with
reference to two areas of knowledge.
• Topic 3. Is it better to "have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be
questioned" (adapted from Richard Feynman)? Discuss with reference to mathematics
and one other area of knowledge.
• Topic 4. Why do we seek indisputable evidence when it is so often unattainable? Discuss
with reference to two areas of knowledge.
• Topic 5. To what extent do you agree with the directive to "measure what is measurable
and make measurable what is not so" (Galileo Galilei)? Answer with reference to the
human sciences and one other area of knowledge.
• Topic 6. If the artist has freedom to interpret past events in ways that are denied to the
historian, is this an asset or an obstacle to our understanding of the past? Discuss with
reference to the arts and history.
Mini TOK Essay N2022 Prescribed title (800 words)
How to Write a TOK Essay
1. Understand the Prescribed Titles
• The title demands of you and you should

try as much as possible to comprehend

the command terms and the theory of
knowledge questions being asked.
• What type of knowledge is being asked?

AoKs?
• Does it demand shared or personal
knowledge?
2. Familiarize yourself with terminology
• A thorough understanding of the vast
amount of vocabulary and their definitions
is vital to a high-scoring TOK essay.
• Incorporating TOK-specific jargon improves
your chance of receiving scores in the higher
levels.
3. Choose Your Title Carefully
• The topic you choose should contain an AOK that
you are familiar with or one you have a lot of
interest in to say the least.
• But you shouldn’t just grab a topic because it
appears simple or appealing. Instead, you need to
read each title on the list carefully and ask
yourself many questions.
• Share ideas with others that choosing the same
title.
4. Understand the Grading Criteria
• The IB assesses your essay on criteria that
each carries equal weight. It’s recommended
to have a copy of these grading criteria and
stick to them while writing your essay. (on
MB with the TOK essay samples)
• Organization of ideas; You need to have
a well-structured essay, be factually
accurate, explain key concepts, and
where applicable, cite references.
5. Identify the Knowledge Issue in the Essay Title
• This might be a question or even an issue
about how you understand yourself and the
world in relation to the quest for knowledge.
• A knowledge issue in the title of an essay
often relates to one or two of the 5 AOKs
(Mathematics, Sciences, Human Sciences,
History and Arts) and tends to examine the
possible conflicts or problems in these AOKs
or between them.
6. Create Your TOK Essay Outline
• Paragraph 1: This is the introduction. It should contain explanations
and interpretations of the title. Also, this is where you state
your thesis and identify a knowledge issue related to the title.
• Paragraph 2: This should contain the first AOK. For instance, if it is
Mathematics, explain how it answers the question in the title and offer
supporting examples. Also, note any counter-arguments or limitations
of the examples to support your claim.
• Paragraph 3: Here, you should talk about the second AOK. Discuss how
the subject answers the title as well as supporting examples. Similarly,
write down any limitations of the examples and counter-arguments
about the title.
• Paragraph 4: This should be the conclusion paragraph. It summarizes
your main ideas and also restates your thesis.
• To conclude, answer the title completely while taking into account all
the limitations and counter-arguments against the areas of knowledge.
7. Write Your Essay
• Your essay outline will be key to your writing
as you can use it as a guide. Just expand each
part of your outline, while noting that the
word limit will have to be anywhere between
1200-1600 words.
• Refer to your brainstorming notes to find the
supporting examples for the two areas of
knowledge that you chose. Also, your main
arguments and counter-arguments are in
your brainstorming notes.
8. Don’t Use Dictionary Definitions in the Essay
You should demonstrate to the TOK
assessment committee that yours is a
reflective essay, not one filled with textbook
definitions.
• Avoid relying too much on textbook
definitions to support a counter-argument
or prove your argument. This way, you will
demonstrate to the assessment committee
that you didn’t engage with the topic and
circumvented the topic’s complexities in favor
of dictionary definitions.
9. Cite Your Sources
• When writing a TOK essay, you will
need to cite all your sources using the
MLA style citations.
• This is a no-brainer and therefore
should be as straightforward as you
can possibly imagine.
10. Proofread Your Work
• You don’t want to undo your effort by
handing in work that’s full of silly
grammatical or spelling mistakes. It’s
advisable to take a break before
proofreading. This gives you a fresh
mind and eyes to go over it.
• If possible, get someone to read it for
you to make sure there are no obvious
mistakes.