What is the relationship between job choice and attitudes towards mathematics?By Emile Okada

Survey answers: by Grade

FreshmenSophomoresJuniorsSeniors

Fondness vs. Math intensity in job

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

How much people like mathAmount of math need in career

Scale

Nu

mb

er o

f peo

ple

Implication

Liking math

Proportion-ally equivalent math intensive job

Math intensity in job vs. Fondness of math

Average math intensitive job Average fondness of math5.9

5.92

5.94

5.96

5.98

6

6.02

6.04

6.06

Math intensity in job vs. Number fondness

Yes No5.65

5.7

5.75

5.8

5.85

5.9

5.95

6

6.05

6.1

Math intensity in job vs. Number fondness

Yes No0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Fondness of math vs. math intensity of job

Predicted amount of math involved in career

Leve

l of f

ond

nes

s of

mat

h

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 90.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

Fondness of math vs. math intensity of job

Predicted amount of math involved in career

Leve

l of f

ond

nes

s of

mat

h

Criteria for choosing your job

Math involvement (++++)

Money(+++++)

… …

Career choice A

++++ +++++ … …

Career choice B

---- +++++ … …

Math intensity in job vs. Fondness of math

Average math intensitive job Average fondness of math0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Distribution of fondness of math around the world

The relationship between students and math through time

High school female 8th grade female 5th grade female High school male 8th grade male 5th grade male4.8

5

5.2

5.4

5.6

5.8

6

6.2