数学

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 数学(すうがく) is the study of numbers, shapes, relationships, and their rules through logical reasoning.
• Basic usage: It is used to describe enjoying solving mathematics problems.
  • 弟は数学の問題を解くのが好きだ。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Scope compared with 算数
  • 算数(さんすう) mainly names the elementary-school subject centered on calculations, numbers, and shapes. 数学 names the broader discipline and is also the school-subject name from junior high onward.