Mathematics absent from the wizarding world?

Question

As someone from a scientific education background I can't help but notice that while, for example, biology is mentioned (and at times important) in the Harry Potter books and potions (akin to chemistry), there are no mentions made of math courses.

The logical explanation to me seems that as a writer, Rowling understood that for most of the target audience, maths won't be at the top of the list of interesting subjects.

However, is there an in-universe explanation as to why mathematics seems absent from the wizarding world?

What about Muggle-born kids who are taught and like math but are then shipped off to Hogwarts where, seemingly, math is a no-no?

Answer 1

On the surface it looks like at best a student at Hogwarts received a 4th grade education in elementary studies before being shipped off to the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and becoming forever educationally stunted. However if you look at the classes offered, you can see that they did receive at least some math, physics, reading & writing, geology, geography, chemistry, biology, and zoology, depending on electives.

First they have the option of [Muggle Studies], which is essentially an anthropology class. (http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Muggle_Studies)

This class aims specifically to acquaint wizards and witches who do not have direct contact with Muggles with the way they live; one known essay topic was "Why Muggles Need Electricity." It is an optional subject, taught from the third year to the seventh.

They also get at least 5 years of history (of magic) and astronomy.

Astronomy is one of the only fields of study at Hogwarts which has a direct equivalent in the Muggle world. Known student activities include learning the names of stars, constellations, and planets, as well as their location and movements, and describing the environments of planets and moons. - HP Wiki

Astronomy could open the door for mathematics and physics at an elementary level for the students. It could also be said that they would at least learn some geography from History of Magic.

And as mentioned in your question, Potions could be considered a form of chemistry.

Arithmancy is an elective which involved writing skills and math.

Homework assignments, which included writing essays, required the consultation and/or composition of complex number charts.

On top of that, a lot of the classes seemed to have them writing essays on subjects and the consuming of textbook material. Presumably this was the preferred form of further developing their reading and writing skills.

There is another class briefly mentioned named Earth Magic which may involve geology.

"I want to get into earth magic. I love to dig."

But overall I think it could be said that there is simply not a need for higher mathematics, biology, or anything else. Why study biology and medicine to become a doctor when you can wave your wand and say Vulnera Sanentur to heal deep gashes in a victim? Why study math and engineering when you can basically create animate objects via charms and construct virtually anything via transfiguration?

Muggles need these things because they don't have magic, but as a user of magic you don't need to, because, there is a spell for that.

Arthur Weasley: Now, Harry you must know all about Muggles, tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?

Answer 2

Wizards can do calculations magically - they’d learn that instead.

The J.K. Rowling Pottermore writing on explains that using odd measurements isn’t a problem for wizards, since they can do calculations by magic, so it’s not hard for them to do difficult math.

Witches and wizards are not averse to laborious calculations, which they can, after all, do magically, so they do not find it inconvenient to weigh in ounces, pounds and stones; measure in inches, feet and miles; or pay for goods in Knuts, Sickles, and Galleons.
_{^{- Measurements (Pottermore)}}

It’s likely that the reason Hogwarts students don’t have to learn math is because it’s possible to do all the math needed in the wizarding world by magic, so they wouldn’t need to study math to be able to do it - they’d just use magic to do their calculations instead.