Math Anxiety  Math anxiety is the term used to describe the
feeling of apprehension when people are afraid of failing in
situations that involve mathematics. It is an emotional problem,
which relates to intense nervousness before or during math
tests.  A pioneer in this field is Sheila Tobias, author of
Overcoming Math Anxiety (1978), who describes the concept as
"the panic, helplessness, paralysis and mental disorganization
that arises among some people when they are required to solve a
mathematical problem." Tobias strongly believed that mathematics
avoidance was not a failure of intellect but a failure of nerve.
The concept of math anxiety is mostly associated with the field
of academics, although it can arise in other aspects of life.
The most general reason for math anxiety is a previous moment of
failure including mathematics. After such an experience, people
have difficulties to believe in their own abilities and are
unable to reveal their full potential. The risk of public
embarrassment is another fa