1950年6月，新中国的科学院建立不久，在百废待兴的情形下，着手筹建数学研究所。筹备处设在北京文津街3号，由著名数学家苏步青任筹备处主任，周培源、江泽函、华罗庚、许宝騄任筹备处副主任，田方增任秘书。筹建工作受到中央人民政府的高度重视。
截止2022年3月，数学研究所现有研究人员67人，其中研究员36人，副研究员23人，助理研究员8人。现有院士6人，国家杰出青年基金获得者16人，国家高层次青年人才计划14人。
50多年来，数学所在科学研究和人才培养方面取得了辉煌成绩。 如国家自然科学奖一等奖数学方面全部六项奖中有三项出自数学所； 华罗庚先生的“典型域上的多元复变数函数论”（1956获奖）开辟了一个重要研究领域；吴文俊先生的“示性类与示嵌类的研究”（1956获奖）是拓扑学领域的奠基性工作并有许多重要应用；陈景润的“哥德巴赫猜想研究” （与王元、潘承洞一起于1982年获奖）至今仍然保持国际领先水平；曾经在数学所工作和学习过的人员中有30余人当选为中国科学院院士；多人次获得过国家自然科学奖二等奖、中科院自然科学奖一等奖、华罗庚数学奖、陈省身数学奖、陈嘉庚科学奖及求是杰出青年学者奖等；改革开放后培养的研究生中有多人已经成为国际知名数学家。

数学研究所于2010年开始举办每月一次的数学所讲座，旨在讲解现代数学的重要内容及其思想、方法和影响，扩展科研人员和研究生的视野、提高数学修养和加强相互交流、增强学术气氛。每年出版一册《数学所讲座》，汇集当年的数学所讲座报告。
2018年起开始设立华罗庚青年数学论坛，邀请世界各地的优秀青年数学家来做系列讲座。迄今已邀请逾百位青年俊才来介绍他们的最新研究成果。

In June 1950, shortly after the founding of the Academy of Science in New China, the establishment of the Institute of Mathematics was set in motion. The preparatory office is located in Beijing Wenjin Street 3, by the famous mathematician Su Buqing as the director of the preparatory office, Zhou Peiyuan, Jiang Zehan, Hua Luogeng, Xu Bao 𫘧 as the deputy director of the preparatory office, Tian Fangzeng The preparatory work is highly valued by the Central People's Government.
By March 2022, the institute of Mathematics has 67 researchers, including 36 researchers, 23 associate researchers and 8 assistant researchers. There are 6 academicians, 16 recipients of the National Outstanding Youth Fund and 14 recipients of the National High-level Young Talents Program.
For more than 50 years, the Institute has made brilliant achievements in scientific research and personnel training. For example, the first prize of the National Natural Science Award in mathematics has three of the six prizes from the mathematics institute; Mr. Hua Luogeng's "Function theory of Multiple Complex Variables over typical Domains" (1956) opened up an important research field. Mr. Wu Wenjun's "The Study of Demonstrative classes and demonstrative nested Classes" (1956) is the foundation work in the field of topology and has many important applications. Chen Jingrun's "Goldbach conjecture research" (together with Wang Yuan and Pan Chengdong, won the prize in 1982) still keeps the international leading level. More than 30 of those who have worked and studied in the Institute have been elected academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He has won the second prize of the National Natural Science Award, the first prize of the Natural Science Award of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hua Luogeng Mathematics Award, Chen Shianxin Mathematics Award, Chen Jiageng Science Award and Qiushi Outstanding Young Scholar Award. Many of the postgraduates trained after the reform and opening-up policy have become internationally renowned mathematicians.

Since 2010, the Institute of Mathematics has held monthly lectures for the institute of Mathematics, aiming to explain the important contents of modern mathematics and their ideas, methods and influences, expand the vision of researchers and postgraduates, improve their mathematical literacy, strengthen mutual communication and enhance the academic atmosphere. The annual publication of the Mathematical Institute Lectures is a compilation of the annual mathematical Institute lectures reports.
Since 2018, hua Luogeng Youth Mathematics Forum has been set up, inviting outstanding young mathematicians from all over the world to give a series of lectures. More than 100 young talents have been invited to present their latest research.