Maths EPQ ideas: applied maths and modelling
Build a model, test it on data you collect or download, and judge where it fails. The modelling cycle gives a dissertation a natural shape.
Tip. Always test the model on data you did not use to build it.
9 ideas
- Modelling a school canteen queueCan a mathematical model of the school canteen queue reduce waiting times?
- Timing traffic lightsHow should traffic light timings be chosen to minimise queues at a busy junction?
- Air resistance and the best launch angleHow much does air resistance change the best angle to launch a projectile?
- Modelling the UK populationHow well do exponential and logistic models predict the UK's population?
- How fast does a cup of tea cool?How accurately does Newton's law of cooling predict how fast a cup of tea cools?
- The 37% rule for choosing the bestWhen should you stop looking? How well does the 37% rule work for choosing the best option?
- How reliable is radiocarbon dating?How reliable is radiocarbon dating, and what limits its accuracy?
- Modelling a school evacuationHow long would it take to evacuate your school, and can a model find a faster plan?
- Linear programming and the cheapest dietCan linear programming design the cheapest healthy diet, and should we trust its answer?
Frequently asked questions
Is applied maths and modelling a good area for a maths EPQ?
It can be, if you narrow it to one question you can answer with mathematics you understand and evidence you can find. Always test the model on data you did not use to build it.
Can I use one of these titles as it is?
Use it as a starting point. Change the case, the data or the comparison until the title is your own, and agree it with your supervisor before you start.
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