Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) Volume 2, Issue 11, November 2014 2348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 0.923 Available online at www.ajms.co.in 97 A Study on Students’ Attitude towards Mathematics in Some Selected Secondary Schools of Puducherry State Dhaneshwar Prasad 1 , S V Subrahmanyam 2 , M Madhu Sudhan Rao 3 1 Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Dr. S. R. K. Govt. Arts College, Yanam 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, K L University, Andrapradesh, India 3 Assistant Professor, Department of CSS, K L University, Andrapradesh, India Abstract: This case study adopted the illustrative customer survey pattern applying easy frequency and also percentages inside considering the data. 573 secondary school students at random selected through 8 educational institutions in various parts of Puducherry state of India ended up applied. Just One Instrument (JOI) has been applied. It is recommended how the educator needs to develop optimistic relationship with college students and also stress type place routines which involve active teaching- learning method and also students’ contribution in the class. Stakeholders need to organize periodic classes and also courses regarding students, parents and also instructors made to promote optimistic thought patterns towards mathematics. Keywords: Student Attitude, Mathematics, Secondary School, SAT Introduction: Most people have heard the age-old saying, “attitude is the key to success”. Various quotes can be retrieved that subscribe to this philosophy. In education, research suggests that student attitudes toward a subject lead to academic success (Popham, 2005; Royster, Harris, & Schoeps, 1999). Mathematics carries a crucial role within our daily life because it is just a part of virtually every part of our exist ence. On the most basic amount, we must learn mathematics concepts for being competent to learn how to count cash or maybe explain to moment. With no mathematics, many of us couldn't find out the length derived from one of spot for a yet another or maybe any time it could take to get there. Using a grander scale, we may teach minor to be able to nothing at all concerning the world without having mathematics. It can be found in virtually every industry associated with research including locations like Biology, Archaeology, Astronomy, Mathematical Economics, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and so many more. Instructional mathematics is just about the most critical subject we make use of all our existence. Many of us make use of mathematics with regard to buying, examining, personal savings, payments, bills, mileage, and so on. The main cause medical professionals make use of mathematics would be to establish suitable measure as soon as prescribing prescription drugs. Doctors will make use of mathematics throughout establishing the ideal weight for just a sufferer, or to track pregnancy progression. Attitude of students can be influenced by the attitude of the teacher and his method of teaching. Studies carried out have shown that the teachers’ method of mathematics teaching and his personality greatly accounted for the students’ positive attitude towards mathematics and that, without interest and personal effort in learning mathematics by the students, they can hardly perform well in the subject (Yara, 2009). The present study is intended to investigate Puducherry students’ attitudes towards mathematics and mathematics learning at the secondary level. There are two reasons for us to conduct this study. First, as developing students’ positive attitudes is stipulated as one of the main aims for mathematics education in Puducherry, we want to measure how secondary school students have achieved in this aim. Second, although many believe that attitudes play an important role in students’ learning of mathematics, there has been little effort on studies about students’ attitude toward mathematics and mathematics learning in Puducherry educational settings. The study adopted the descriptive survey design using simple frequency and percentages in analyzing the data. 573 secondary students randomly selected in 8 schools from all parts of Puducherry state were used. One instrument (SAT) was used while two research questions were answered in the study. The results showed that the students’ attitudes towards mathematics were positive and that many of them believed that mathematics is a worthwhile and necessary subject which can help them in their future career. It is recommended that the teacher should develop positive relationship with students and stress classroom activities that involve active teaching- learning process and students’ participation in the class. Stakeholders should organize periodic seminars and workshops for students, parents and teachers designed to promote positive attitudes towards mathematics. brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk provided by Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (AJMS)