Philadelphia, PA, April 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A brand new survey sheds mild on the examine habits of among the high performing math college students within the U.S. and U.Ok, revealing that synthetic intelligence (AI) performs an academic position for almost 70% of the 16- to 18-year-olds queried.
The survey, performed by Philadelphia-based Society for Industrial and Utilized Arithmetic (SIAM), surveyed greater than 1,300 eleventh and twelfth grade college students from throughout the U.S. and sixth kind college students in England and Wales – comprising a few of every nation’s high younger math minds – to get a glimpse into the motivation and practices behind their tutorial success.
The scholars are members on this yr’s MathWorks Math Modeling Problem (M3 Problem), an annual internet-based, intensive math modeling contest organized by SIAM.
Survey outcomes
In line with the survey, 68% of the scholars flip to AI instruments for math assignments or exams, with 10% utilizing them every day, 20% weekly, and 38% utilizing them from time to time.
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Why do they use AI for math? Virtually half (48%) of respondents mentioned it helps them perceive ideas or topics with out having to get a tutor, and a 3rd use AI to rapidly examine solutions earlier than handing in assignments or homework. Practically a quarter (24%) flip to AI for assist with assignments and homework.
Nonetheless, 49% of these queried mentioned that whereas they consider there’s a spot for AI in math schooling, it’s greatest utilized in coordination with human schooling from academics to assist them create a bridge between prior and new data.
Different findings of the survey:
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Relating to learning basically, 75% of scholars do their homework in a room by themselves. 57% of respondents mentioned their love of the joys of downside fixing sparked their curiosity in math, whereas 41% mentioned the curiosity got here from an inspiring instructor. A 3rd of college students have been incentivized by higher college and profession prospects. 58% of scholars attain out to a instructor for assist when grappling with a math downside, half of respondents say they ask a good friend or classmate, and virtually 40% flip to AI for assist.
Learnings for nationwide math scores
“The survey results give us a glimpse into the students’ practices and how they are engaging with the technology. These insights may be helpful to guide other students,” mentioned Dr. Suzanne Weekes, SIAM Chief Government Officer, noting current research that present declining math rankings in each the U.S. and U.Ok.
“In today’s data-driven world, the next generation must be competitive and innovative to thrive and research shows that math and analytical skills are key to securing career opportunities in high-growth sectors – from technology and finance to healthcare,” she mentioned.
The majority of these surveyed counsel college students can enhance their math scores by training questions frequently (67%) and maintaining up with homework (58%). Different suggestions they shared embrace tackling advanced math issues in small, manageable steps, making use of math to actual life conditions to higher perceive ideas, and assembly frequently with the instructor to overview materials. Moreover, 40% of these queried consider AI instruments have the potential to revolutionize math schooling by lowering math nervousness amongst college students and growing depth of data.
“I actually consider that AI has a task to play if built-in thoughtfully and in the precise manner,” Weekes mentioned.
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Academics weigh in
In a parallel SIAM survey, 250 U.S. and U.K. math teachers echoed the students’ views on ways math scores can be improved. Educators’ top suggestions include doing practice questions regularly (62%), avoiding falling behind with homework (59%), and taking a step-by-step approach to tackling complex math problems (45%). A quarter of teachers recommended doing puzzles or playing cards and board games that involve using math skills.
What can strengthen students’ interest in math? The majority (79%) of educators cite an effective and engaging teacher, while more than half recommend exposing students to challenges, games, and puzzles that promote the thrill of problem solving as well as making math fun and relevant in the classroom by connecting concepts to real-life applications. Encouragement from a parent or mentor was cited as being key by 41% of teachers.
Now in its 21st year, M3 Challenge involves high school juniors and seniors, and sixth form students, working in small teams for 14 consecutive hours to devise a solution to a real-world problem using mathematical modeling. Of the hundreds of participating teams, nine finalist teams were selected from across the U.S., England, and Wales, after having their submissions judged by an international panel of mathematicians. Finalist teams will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to participate in the competition’s final judging event, which will take place on April 27.
Sponsored by MathWorks, the leading developer of mathematical computing software, M3 Challenge spotlights applied mathematics and technical computing as powerful problem-solving tools and viable, exciting professions. This year’s competition – which will award more than US$100,000 (~£75,000) in scholarship prizes – asked students to use math modeling to assess the personal, societal and financial effects of online and mobile sports gambling, which has exploded in popularity across the U.S. and U.K. over the past decade. It drew the participation of more than 3,400 students on 770 teams.
Learn more about M3 Challenge and the 2026 challenge problem. See the full list of schools with winning teams.
About Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an international society of 14,000+ individual, academic, and corporate members from 100+ countries. SIAM fosters the development of applied mathematics and computational methodologies needed in various application areas. Through publications, conferences, and communities like student chapters, geographic sections, and activity groups, SIAM builds cooperation between mathematics and the worlds of science and technology to solve real-world problems. Further information is available at siam.org. About MathWorks MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of engineers and scientists, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. Simulink is a block diagram environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of multidomain and embedded engineering systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these products to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, communications, electronics, industrial automation, and other industries. MATLAB and Simulink are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world’s universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 6,500 people in 34 offices around the world, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit mathworks.com.
