Digitalization of education affects components of the system of teaching mathematics and the links between its individual components (aims, content, methods, forms and means of teaching). Modern students perceive and process information differently and actively use different available sources of information. A math textbook is a traditional teaching tool, and not the only one, it is also an important source of information for students. High requirements are imposed on the textbook as it should serve as a model for presenting educational material and creating conditions for students’ autonomy. Students’ reading proficiency is also influenced by appropriate content of a textbook and the use of effective instructional techniques. There is an academic interest to study the role and place of math textbooks in the context of digitalization of education. Our research is concerned with the ways of using a textbook in teaching mathematics at school. The article illustrates the results of the 2020 survey of student teachers of mathematics about their experiences with using mathematics textbooks during their school years. The analysis of the survey answers allowed us to identify the demand for math textbooks by modern school students, deficits and problems in methodology of teaching mathematics. The results of the research will allow us to find answers to the questions "What should a math textbook for modern pupils be like?" and "What techniques of work with a math textbook should pupils know?". The results of the research will be taken into account in the creation of methodological recommendations for math teachers to improve effectiveness of teaching math.