Abstract
his study investigated the relationship between mathematical ability and achievement in physics in Senior Secondary Schools in Yola metropolis of Adamawa State. The study adopted correlational research design in which three hypotheses were stated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The instruments used for data collection are the Mathematical Ability Test (MAT) and Physics Achievement Test (PAT). Data were collected from a sample of 206 Senior Secondary School two students (SSSII) selected from a total population of 1332 physics students. The instruments were validated by two experts in physics and mathematics education for face and content validation with reliability coefficient of 0.69 and 0.72 respectively for MAT and PAT computed using Kuder Richardson (KR21) formula. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze data. The results showed that: (i) there was a low positive significant correlation (r=0.199, p<0.05) between the mean achievement scores of students possessing high mathematical ability and their achievement in physics. (ii) there was positive significant correlation (r=0.523 p<0.05) between the mean achievement scores of students possessing medium mathematical ability and their achievement in physics (iii) there was a positive significant correlation (r=0.675 p<0.05) between the mean achievement scores of students possessing low mathematical ability and their achievement in physics. (iv) low mathematical ability predicted achievement in physics best for low ability students. It was recommended among others that necessary measures be taken that will develop and sustain students’ mathematical ability as it is a good predictor of students’ achievement in physics especially among low mathematical ability learners.