This study seeks to understand what factors lead students in Youth and Adult Education (EJA) in public schools to have difficulties in learning maths content. To this end, we sought to verify the image and concept of maths presented by the group surveyed; to identify the challenges pointed out by EJA students in relation to the teaching and learning of maths; and to understand whether the pedagogical methods used by teachers influence the teaching and learning process of this subject. The results of the research reaffirm that the majority of YAE students are averse to maths and see it as difficult, yet they understand its importance in their lives. Finally, we can see that this research is extremely relevant from an academic and social point of view, as well as for public policies in the country, as it deals with issues relating to the teaching and learning of maths for young people and adults from working class backgrounds who are or were excluded from the regular schooling process at the age prescribed by law.