Sense of number is a kind of ability to know the number of a bunch of small objects without special teaching, and to count them and simply add and subtract them.
However, we often hear children say that I can't do math, but I have never heard children say that I can't talk, and I am also a natural ability. Why is there such a difference?
1- Why do we have a natural sense of numbers, but it is still so difficult to learn mathematics?
Oral language expression and sense of numbers are the basic skills of our survival, but abstract mathematics is not. For example, if you live on the African savannah. There is always the danger of being attacked by wild animals, so a sense of numbers will help you survive better. You can estimate whether the number of wild animals coming here is beyond your tolerance. Of course, if you can't beat them, you will run away. In the process of learning mathematics, we are actually faced with more complicated symbols and procedures. In other words, the sense of number is innate, and the understanding of mathematical symbols needs to be learned the day after tomorrow. In fact, I feel that we only use the hand index to understand the concept of quantity, which does not mean that you have understood the abstract concept of numbers.
The understanding of digital symbols is located in the digital module area of the brain, which is actually a motor area. When we use the hand index, it belongs to the control of the motor cortex, and the common language number is located in the Bullokar area on the left. On the other hand, the human brain understands numbers as a quantity, not a vocabulary. This reflex behavior is rooted in the brain, so we can quickly give meaning to numbers.
2- Speaking of number sense, we are born with number sense, and most people may perform much better in calculation and mathematics than you think. Why do you say that?
This involves another concept, inductance. Simply put, the sense of number is the ability to know how much it is without counting, but it is necessary for logarithm. If it is less than or equal to 4, you don't need to count. Perceptual number can be divided into perceptual sexy number and conceptual sexy number.
Perceptual number refers to the number that can be perceived without operation, while conceptual number sense obtains the number of sets through a similar model, such as the points on the dice. The use of conceptual variables is helpful to master the abstract numbers and arithmetic strategies needed in counting.
3- How does the sense of number live forever?
There are three main stages in the development of number sense. At the 1 stage, its number can be judged naturally and quickly without counting, which is the perceptual sexy number just mentioned. In the second stage, you create digital words and communicate with them with accurate numbers, such as chinese numerals and Arabic numerals. The third stage is when we realize that a large number of numbers in mathematics are boring and are not suitable for mathematical operations. We create mathematical symbols and operational symbols.
From the 1 stage to the second stage, it is linear, but in the third stage, the brain is interactive in data operation. It is the interaction of numbers, real quantities and digital symbols.
4- So mathematics is equivalent to number sense?
Mathematics includes logical thinking, systematic thinking, inductive thinking and deductive thinking, including the ability to distinguish geometric models from numerical models and to observe and operate with complete concepts.
When you have mathematical ability, you can easily do mental arithmetic on numbers, have strong organizational ability, very accurate and systematic problem-solving methods, easily identify numbers and geometric models, like computer games and puzzles, like to explore and experiment with logical methods, and be good at abstracting and easily carrying out conceptual thinking from concrete transformations.
So how does the innate sense of numbers make us learn math well step by step?
To be continued ~