The brain has neurons that fire specifically during certain mathematical operations. This is shown by a recent study conducted by the Universities of Tübingen and Bonn. The findings indicate that some of the neurons detected are active exclusively during additions, while others are active during subtractions.
The cells discovered encode a mathematical instruction for action. They do not care whether the calculation instruction is written down as a word or a symbol. Figuratively speaking, it is as if the +/- keys on the calculator were constantly changing their location. Researchers also refer to this as “dynamic coding.”
This study marks an important step towards a better understanding of one of our most important symbolic abilities, namely calculating with numbers.
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