According to research published by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), students are being put off studying mathematics, or using it in later life, by its perceived 'geeky' image.

There are two implications of the study: that popular culture may be preventing people from enjoying mathematics, and secondly, that mathematics is seen as the preserve of white middle class men - which may discourage people from other social and ethnic groupings.

Read more about the research from the ESRC website, and click here to read coverage from The Guardian website.