The Mathics

Hello Mathicians,
We partnered with our Founder, Sandy Isaac Michael The Math-Phobia Therapist on this, and in this post we have highlighted 5 common phrases used by African parents and how they influence and shape how their children see learning and engaging with Mathematics.

The myths surrounding math phobia are just as damaging as the phobia itself. When we get them wrong, we push students further away from mathematics instead of helping them back. So we're setting the record straight.

In this post, we're breaking down the 5 most common misconceptions about Math Phobia with the research-backed truth behind each one.

There is a crisis in mathematics education that we rarely name correctly. We call it lack of effort, we call it poor aptitude, and some call it disinterest. But for millions of students across Africa and beyond, what is actually happening has a precise name: Math Phobia, also known as mathematical anxiety, it is defined as a state of fear, tension, and apprehension that specifically interferes with a student's ability to engage with, process, and perform mathematical tasks.

Here is the part that should concern every educator, parent, and school leader: Math phobia is not a fringe condition. Research estimates it affects between 17% and 20% of the global population to a clinically significant degree, with far higher rates of milder anxiety across the general student population.

In Nigerian classrooms, where mathematics performance is a gateway to university admission, professional certification, and career opportunity, the consequences of unaddressed math phobia are profound and lasting. Yet the conversation around it remains shallow. Most of the responses we see from well-meaning teachers, parents, and school systems, are built on misconceptions about what math phobia actually is, where it comes from, and what genuinely helps.

Those misconceptions delay intervention, they misdirect effort, and in many cases, they make the problem significantly worse. In my next post, I will be breaking down the 5 most common misconceptions about Math Phobia, grounded in current research and what the evidence actually tells us about each one.

If you work in education, lead a school, support students, or are raising a child who has ever said “I hate maths” or “I’m just not a maths person” this is for you. Follow us and The Math-Phobia Therapist, Sandy Isaac Michael to catch it when it goes live.

Yesterday was March 14th (3/14) better known as Pi Day♥️ and π (3.14159...) is worth pausing to appreciate. Pi (π) is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, and that applies to every circle everywhere in the universe.

If you draw the tiniest circle imaginable, or a circle the size of a planet and divide its circumference by its diameter and you will always get π. Now, that consistency is not a coincidence, but it is one of the most profound constants in all of mathematics and it shows up far beyond circles.

π is irrational meaning it cannot be expressed as a fraction, and it is also transcendental, meaning it is not the root of any polynomial equation with rational coefficients. It has been computed to over 100 trillion decimal places yet, it never repeats and never terminates.

At The Mathics, Pi Day is a reminder of why we teach mathematics which is not merely to pass examinations, but to encounter the deep, surprising, and beautiful structure of the world we live in.

Anticipate Pi day in 2027♥️

On the 2026 International Women's Day, we celebrate the women who have always belonged in mathematics, and the generations of girls who are just beginning their journey.

The story of math is deeply intertwined with the strength of women, and for too long the STEM spaces have underrepresented the women who helped build them. From Emmy Noether's groundbreaking work in abstract algebra, to Katherine Johnson's calculations that put humans in space, to the countless unsung female mathematicians whose contributions shaped our world.

At The Mathics, we are committed to ensuring that every girl who picks up a pencil to solve a problem sees herself reflected in the field she is engaging with. Because when women thrive in STEM, communities are lifted.

We honour every female student pushing through self-doubt, every woman teaching the next generation, and every girl who raises her hand in math class. Your place here was never a question💙

We've been quiet for a while, but we've been working harder than ever behind the scenes. The Mathics is BACK, and we're bringing fresh content, new features, and even more ways to help you conquer math phobia❤️

Hello there,
This November, we’re bringing educators across Africa and beyond into one honest, powerful conversation on your wellbeing as an educator (teacher).

Theme: Educator Wellbeing: Understanding and Overcoming Burnout!
Date: Saturday, 1st November 2025
Time: 3:30 PM WAT | 8:00 PM IST

We will be having this conversation with Shivangi Reja, an education expert, personal transformation and mindfulness coach will be guiding us through how teachers can heal, recharge, and rediscover their spark again. We often speak about teacher resilience, but rarely about the rest that sustains it. Remember, before you teach the world, you must be well.

Don't forget to tag an educator who deserves some encouragement. You can the STEM-Trybe WhatsApp community to connect, learn, and get updates: https://bit.ly/stemtrybe

At The Mathics, we believe that every child is a math genius in the making. They just need the right tools, encouragement, and environment to shine.

Today, we celebrate the brilliance, curiosity, and boundless potential of every child.

MATHEMATICS MATTERS♥️
Galileo Galilei speaking about Mathematics said: "Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe."

As we navigate the evolving landscape of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), we see Mathematics as its Backbone. It's therefore important that we help learners embrace math, approach it with confidence and not fear. It's equally essential to highlight some of the foundational role mathematics plays in these fields.

Here are a few reasons why I consider mathematics as the foundation or backbone of STEM.
1. Mathematics teaches us to approach problems logically, break them down into manageable parts, and find creative solutions.

2. Mathematics develops critical thinking skills, enabling us to analyze data, evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions.

3. Mathematics provides the framework for scientific inquiry, allowing us to model real-world phenomena, make predictions, and test hypotheses.

4. Mathematics drives innovation and discovery in STEM fields, from cryptography to medical imaging, and from climate modeling to artificial intelligence, and lots more😊

We are The Mathics, and we guide learners to overcome Math-Phobia, and also open them up to the many possibilities in Mathematics😊

PI-DAY 2025😊
Pi (π) is an irrational number, meaning it has an infinite number of non-repeating decimal places, so it cannot be fully written out.

Today, we celebrate π (pi)—the magical, never-ending number (approximately 3.14159) that shapes our world, reminding us that math can be fun, exciting, and full of wonder!

How many digits of π do you know? Share with us in the comments!😊