mathophobia

English

Etymology

From math +‎ -o- +‎ -phobia.

Noun

mathophobia (uncountable)

1. (informal) An aversion to mathematics.
   • 1967 March 17, Anonymous, "The Price of Mathophobia" in the Education section of Time:

     "Americans," contends M.I.T.'s curriculum reformer, Dr. Jerrold Zacharius, "have mathophobia." They are "scared to death" of math, he says, because most teachers are afraid of it themselves and fail "to make it exciting."

   • 2011, Alexander Soifer, The Colorado Mathematical Olympiad and Further Explorations, page VII:

     As some of the negative actions are very probably a consequence of mathophobia, the spirit of this book may cure at least a few present or future deciders from that affliction.

   • 2014, Paul Smeyers, Marc Depaepe, Educational Research: Material Culture and Its Representation, page 174:

     So how did this translate into an exhibition that, if all went well, could 'cure' at least some people from severe attacks of mathophobia? The choice of Pythagoras' theorem had an additional motivation besides the one mentioned above.

Alternative forms

• mathphobia