Top 21 Math Teacher Interview Questions In 2024 [With Answers]

Mathematics is a wonderful subject which not only enhances the spatial thinking of an individual but also increases reasoning and creativity. It is no wonder that there are numerous practical applications of mathematics in our everyday life, which makes it even more interesting and engrossing. Students, right from the first day of school, begin learning this fascinating subject and try to master it almost till the end of their academic life in one form or the other. Math is commonly referred to as a deep and conceptual subject, which makes the role of a mathematics teacher quite challenging. In order to be a successful mathematics teacher, a high level of grip, passion, and perseverance is of utmost importance.

Best 21 Interview Questions To Read

1) Explain In Brief The Concept Of Relative Speed?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of arithmetic.

Sample Answer

Whenever two objects are moving together, either in the same direction or in the opposite direction, the distance between these objects, is covered using a relative speed. The individual speeds of the objects will not matter in such a case. There could be two most basic scenarios depending on which, relative speeds are calculated, such as:

Scenarios	Calculation of Relative Speed
When both the objects are moving in the same direction	Subtract both the individual speeds
When both the objects are moving in the opposite direction or towards each other	Add both the individual speeds

2) What Do You Mean By Volume and Surface Area?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of mensuration. An interviewer will always ask some basic questions in order to check your grip on the subject and evaluate the foundation of your concepts.

Sample Answer

Volume and surface area are terms commonly used in three dimensional mensuration. These terms can be explained in the following manner:

Term	Meaning	Basic Formula
Volume	Volume in the simplest term means the amount of space or place an object takes to fit in. Suppose, we fill a water tank with water. The liters of water that the particular tank can accommodate can be termed as its volume. The water would first spread on the base of the tank and then would rise slowly consuming the height of the tank.	Area of the base of the object x Height of the object
Surface Area	There are three types of surface areas: Lateral surface area, which takes into account the four walls of the room. Curved Surface Area, which takes into account the curved sides of the object. In such type of figures, there is a non-existent top and heights reduce gradually to meet at a point. This leads to the formation of slant height, which can be calculated using the Pythagoras theorem. Total Surface Area, covers both Lateral Surface Area as well as Curved Surface Area, depending upon the object, and also takes into account the area of the base as well as the top, if it exists.	Lateral Surface Area = Perimeter of the base of the object x Height of the object Curved Surface Area = 1/2 x Perimeter of the base of the object x Slant Height Total Surface Area = Lateral Surface Area/Curved Surface Area + Area of the base + Area of the top (if it exists)

3) Math Is Boring. Students Hate It. Why So?

This is a tricky question, wherein your own subject is being criticized. You are required to answer from a positive frame of mind and express your views on why students find mathematics tough or boring and how you can improve this mindset.

Sample Answer

I believe, mathematics is the most entertaining and engaging subject, as compared to others. However, it is also true, that mathematics command a high level of determination, passion, and ability to think critically, in order to solve and even understand knotty concepts. Students hate difficulties, as they are quite young and still at the nascent stage of their life. If a teacher is able to deliver lectures in a lucid manner and explain using the techniques of story-building and 3D diagrams, I believe, this will lead to a better understanding of the concepts and enhanced student involvement and interest in this subject.

4) What Motivates You To Work?

This is a common interview question, through which an interviewer wants to know, what is your primary motivational factor, that prompts you to work hard and push your limits.

Sample Answer

Being an individual belonging to a lower middle class family, earning money is the most basic and primary motivational factor for me, which forces me to work hard every day and achieve my targets and goals. However, it is also my quest and dream to educate everyone in our country and aware young students and adults, of the magic, that mathematics has to offer us.

5) When Do You Feel Frustrated From A Student?

This is a personality evaluating question, that will enable an interviewer to understand your viewpoints and procedures of effectively handling a student.

Sample Answer

To be honest and frank, sometimes when students misbehave with teachers, like singing background songs, hurling abuses, casting slurs, etc. I really feel annoyed and frustrated. However, I immediately control my emotions and start thinking that these blokes are quite young and too novice to understand appropriately. It is my duty to help them out and teach them discipline. I always counsel such students, and if they still continue, I always have a long conversation with their parents as well as the principal.

6) What Is A Secant?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic terms and foundational grip on a circle.

Sample Answer

When we mark any two points on the circumference of a circle and join them together, we get a chord. When this chord is extended outside the circle, up to a definite point, then this entire line segment is known as the secant of a circle. In other words, an extended chord leads to the formation of the secant of a circle.

7) Explain Angles Formed Inside A Circle.

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of geometry.

Sample Answer

Inside a circle, numerous angles can be formed on its circumference as well as the center of the circle after making chords inside the circle. Using the two extreme ends of the chords, if angles formed on the circumference of the circle, then all these angles would be equal. Further, these two ends can also be used to make an angle at the center of the circle, which will always be double of the angle formed at the circumference of the circle.

8) What Is A Hexagon?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of geometry.

Sample Answer

A hexagon has six equal sides and is formed after joining six equilateral triangles. The various basic calculations can be done, using the following formulas:

Outcome	Formula
Area	6 x √3/4 x Side of an equilateral triangle.
Perimeter	6 x Side of an equilateral triangle

9) Explain A Cyclic Quadrilateral In Brief.

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of geometry.

Sample Answer

In order to make a cyclic quadrilateral, we have to mark and then join any four points on the circumference of a circle. After joining we will obtain the figure of a cyclic quadrilateral. In this, sum of all the angles is 360 degrees and the sum of two opposite angles is 180 degrees.

10) What Do You Mean By Circumradius Of A Equilateral Triangle?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of lines, radius and angles.

Sample Answer

Whenever a circle is drawn outside an equilateral triangle using its centroid as the center, such a circle drawn is known as Circumcircle. Further, when the center of the circle is joined with the circumference of the circle, using a line segment, then such a line is known as circumradius. In other words, the distance from the centre of the circumcircle to its circumference is known as circumradius.

11) How Will You Reduce Two Different Variables Into A Single Set?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of mathematics.

Sample Answer

In order to solve some knotty math problems, is it common to convert two different variables into a single variable. It is possible only when we define or establish a relationship between both of them, using different techniques such as Similarity of triangles, Uniformity technique, etc. After establishing a relationship between these two variables, one can write them in a ratio form, that is numerator and denominator form and attach any common variable to them.

12) How Will You Handle An Obscure Student?

This question tests your knowledge and efficiency of the practical working procedures.

Sample Answer

Students are naïve and do not understand what is right and what is wrong for them. Teachers are the guiding lamps for students and I believe it is our responsibility to show them a correct path. Obscurantism, a hatred towards learning is a literary sin, in my opinion, and I would try every possible effort from counseling parents to arranging special classes for such a kid, to make a positive shift for that particular child.

13) What Is The Basic Concept Employed While Choosing The Dimensions Of A Triangle?

This is a fundamental question that evaluates your foundational knowledge and grip on the basic concepts.

Sample Answer

The dimensions of a triangle must be chosen carefully while formulating a question. The lengths must follow the standard rule of, Sum of any two sides must be more than the third side. This formula must be applied on the sides of a triangle after arranging them in ascending order. If the chosen sides, do not satisfy this formula, then a triangle can not be formed using these sides.

14) What Is The Nature Of Three Elements Undergoing Mixture and Allegation?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core mathematical concepts.

Sample Answer

The nature of these three elements must be absolutely similar to each other. For example, if the allegation is applied in order to find the average/combined selling price of an article, then the three elements undergoing the allegation process must be the cost price of both the articles individually and a combined cost price of both these articles.

15) Explain In Brief The Various Types Of Triangles On The Basis Of Lengths?

This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of mensuration.

Sample Answer

On the basis of lengths, triangles can be divided into three major categories:

Name of the triangle	Nature of lengths	Perimeter
Scalene Triangle	A scalene triangle has dimensions that differ in lengths from each other. For Example, 4cm, 6 cm, and 3cm. One can observe that all the sides have different lengths.	Sum of all the individual sides.
Equilateral Traingle	All the sides of such a triangle are equal in length.	3 x Length of any side
Isosceles Triangle	Any two sides of the triangle are similar to each other.	2 x Length of similar sides + Length of the other side

16) When Can You Start?

It is usual for interviewers to ask about your availability in the interview session itself. It must be considered that this question, in no way guarantees your selection. Hence, be focused and control your emotions in order to deliver an exemplary interview performance.

Sample Answer

• For Freshers/Unemployed Individuals:: Being not working anywhere at present moment and with no prior commitments or obligations to fulfill, I believe, I have the ability to start immediately.
• For Employed Individuals: Sir, I am currently working with ABC Group of Schools. However, I am desperate for a job change, and I will soon serve a notice to my current employer, post which, I will receive my relieving letter within 7 days. After adding two days of buffer, I want to confirm (____mention the date of your joining_______) as my preferred date of joining.

17) Why You Chose Us?

It is a common interview question, that enables an interviewer to know, your level of seriousness and commitment towards the organization you have applied at.

Sample Answer

Being a prominent educational institution, with more than 14 branches spread all over the country and more than 50,000 active students, it is an absolute gold place to work at. Your organization has been the alma mater of some famous modern personalities and has excellent goodwill in the market. I believe, having an organization like yours, on my resume, will increase its value manifolds and such an act will help me in career advancement as well as fetch me a higher salary.

18) What Is A Pythagoras Theorem?

This question tests your basic mathematics proficiency and knowledge.

Sample Answer

A Pythagoras theorem is derived from a right-angled triangle, which is a combination of Altitude, Base, and Hypotenuse. The altitude and base are joined by a right angle of 90 degrees and opposite to this lies the biggest side, that is, the hypotenuse. A Pythagoras theorem defines the relationship between these three sides of a right-angle triangle, where, a sum total of squares of altitude and base is equivalent to the square of the hypotenuse.

19) Define Tan theta In Brief.

This question tests your understanding and knowledge of the basics of trigonometry.

Sample Answer

Trigonometry is a set of six ratios, which are derived from a right-angled triangle. Tan Theta is one such ratio, which is expressed when the Perpendicular of a right-angled triangle is divided by the Base of the same right-angled triangle. If we reverse this ratio then we will obtain a new trigonometric ratio, which is Cot theta. Tan theta has a minimum value of 1, which is at 45 degrees and its maximum value is infinity. Its recognized values, at different angles, can be defined as:

Ratio	0 degrees	30 degrees	45 degrees	60 degrees	90 degrees
Tan theta	0	1/√3	1	√3	Not Defined

20) What Is Your Biggest Strength?

This is a common interview question and is asked in almost all the interview sessions, no matter, what is the nature of the vacancy. This question must be prepared in an excellent manner, after thorough self-inspection and scrutiny.

Sample Answer

In my humble opinion, I believe my ability to remain calm and composed even in the most difficult situations, which enables me to make informed decisions, is my biggest quality and strength. This quality of mine has helped me at various walks of life and always motivates me to stare into the risky ventures commanding ultimate uncertainty. I believe, it is a necessary attribute in order to be a successful teacher, and I am really looking forward to honing this particular skill even more.

21) Do You have Any Questions For Us?

It is a common habit of interviewers to ask this question at the fag end of an interview session. Through this question, an interviewer offers an opportunity to a candidate to ask a few questions him or her, related to the job profile, organization, work culture, ethics, etc. It is highly advisable that a candidate must ask some relevant questions and clear the genuine doubts in order to enhance his selection chances.

Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for Math Teacher interviews):

Sample Questions

• What are the work timings of the institution?
• Will I be provided a general staff room or a private cabin?
• What are the various other emoluments offered by the organization to its employees?
• What are the factors that influence the calculation of leave compensation?
• Will I be provided snacks and beverages in the evening?
• What are the various types of insurances and covers offered by the organization to its employees as well as their dependents?

References

1. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/11/4/177