What counts as mathematics? Adults in the United States weigh in.

Beliefs and attitudes surrounding mathematics often relate to other behaviors and achievement outcomes. “What counts as mathematics” is an underexplored belief about mathematics warranting further investigation. Across three survey studies (N = 720), we explored U.S. adults’ views of mathematics by having them define mathematics and rate the importance of mathematics for predicting key life outcomes. We also had them complete these tasks for literacy, given its central role in early education, and three subcomponents of early mathematics for comparison (i.e., numeracy, spatial reasoning, and patterning skills). Most adults defined mathematics in terms of numbers and operations, but a subset of adults generated broader themes such as reasoning or the natural world. Adults generally rated mathematics as less important than literacy for predicting health, wealth, and academic achievement. Finally, adults’ definitions of mathematics were related to their mathematics experience and abilities.