Brains Hard-Wired for Math

mcgrew writes "New Scientist is reporting that "non-human primates really can understand the meaning of numerals." The small study of two rhesus monkeys reveals that cells in their brains respond selectively to specific number values — regardless of whether the amount is represented by dots on a screen or an Arabic numeral. For example, a given brain cell in the monkey will respond to the number three, but not the number one. The results suggest that individual cells in human brains might also have a fine-tuned preference for specific numerical values." The report itself is online at PLoS Biology, Semantic Associations between Signs and Numerical Categories in the Prefrontal Cortex."

First post

[Harmonious Botch]

My brain has a fine-tuned preference for the number 'one'.

and there you see!

[Anonymous Coward]

42 really is the answer!

Re:binary

[ExploHD]

Well, there are 11 kinds of people, those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Re:binary

[Anonymous Coward]

For example, a given brain cell in the monkey will respond to the number three

So I guess we're not wired binary?

3 is just our interpretation of the result. As far as we know they could be interpreting the values in unary (the earliest human system) or worse, octal. Stupid monkeys. Don't they know that hexadecimal would make their lives much easier?

Re:binary

[Dr. Eggman]

And those who can't count.

Re:Base?

[mdemonic]

# I wonder if the brains are wired for specific bases, like base 10.

We like it because we have ten fingers. Other civilizations have had other number systems though. The Mayans used base 20, since they had 20 fingers

title wrong

[weak*]

I've co-taught an undergraduate mathematics course. Based on this experience and many others, I assure you the human mind is not hard-wired for math.

Re:and there you see!

[aliquis]

We already knew that, however we need to take their brains out to see if we can find parts of the question in there.

Ethics

[mrbluze]

Readers be at ease. No cute furry animals were used in the research: They shaved the monkeys and dressed them up to look like [inser favourite politician] first.

I really like seven...

[feepness]

For some reason I get aroused when I hear the number seven. Especially when it's followed by "of nine".

Re:binary

[mike260]

There actually are 11 kinds of people - one kind doesn't get the joke, one kind does, and the other nine are sick to death of hearing it trotted out at every bloody opportunity.

Re:binary

[marcansoft]

Well, there are 11 kinds of people, those who understand unary, and those who don't.

There, fixed that for you.

Re:What about the Pirahã?

[svunt]

Did you just add footnotes to actually back up your claim on a slashdot discussion? *rubs eyes* You're going to destroy this site's reputation.

monkey professor

[dancingmad]

I wish they'd teach me math then; considering my college math grades, I'm worse off than these monkeys.

Re:Base?

[cheater512]

There was one which used that system but it died out after the first generation. ;)

Re:Base?

[Yoozer]

Most geeks will however have trouble with base 3.

Re:Base?

[TheLink]

Nah the Mayan probably wore open toed sandals ;).

Re:binary

[JustOK]

And where does FOSS fit in? Is that infinity?

Re:What about the Pirahã?

[Frozen Void]

these were non-numbered footnotes so they don't count.

Re:Base?

[Briareos]

I wonder if the brains are wired for specific bases, like base 10.

Well, if we're all wired to the same bases that would mean "all your base are belong to us" is indeed true... *shudders*

np: Bonobo & Amon Tobin - I'll Have the Waldorf Salad (Verbal Remixes & Collaborations)

Infinity

[flyingfsck]

So, don't think of infinity. Your skull will explode...

Re:Base?

[Anonymous Coward]

a good 23?(base 10)

surely you prefer a good 2120? (base 3) :)

Re:Base?

[Clueless Nick]

00100

One is boring. Try two.

[CarpetShark]

My brain has a fine-tuned preference for the number 'one'.

Strange... I've always favoured two. Preferably twins ;)