by 
Tuckstar
ANSWERS: 2
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Interesting question, and one that's hard to get to the bottom of. The word Mathematics was first used in English in 1581, coming from the Latin word Mathematica. Since the -a suffix in Latin denotes a plural, the word was automatically pluralised when translated to English, even though the word itself is always used as a singular. The abbreviation "Math" came first. The first recorded usage is in 1891. The British abbreviation "Maths" is not recorded until 1911. Based on this it seems reasonable to assume that either both countries developed the abbreviation separately or the British picked up the American abbreviation but then chose to pluralise it. Incidentally (and I suppose I'm more likely to say this because I'm English) I've always felt that "Maths" makes more sense than "Math", since it feels right when abbreviating a plural to include the -s (for example "nos." for "numbers"). Then again, I'd probably feel differently if I was American! Edit: *Imaginary tip of the hat to Grandma Roses.* Thanks for the clarification.
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Here in Australia we also call it mathc.
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