This small-scale action research project aimed to explore the factors which motivate pupils in mathematics, as well as to investigate the methods teachers use to motivate their pupils and how effective they are. A group of trainee teachers were asked for their opinions on what factors motivated them when they were in school and what they do now, in a teaching capacity, to motivate their pupils. The focus for this project stemmed from a vast selection of current research with the hope to build on that which is existing and also to propose further research in the future.