The Brain- Numbers Chapter 13

The horizontal segment of intraparietal sulcus (HIPS) is one of the key functional regions for processing numbers.

​The HIPS area is indicated by the red line.

​The HIPS area is indicated by the red line.

 Unlike the systems of motion and navigation, the parietal lobe does not seem extremely focused on numbers.

​HIPS

​Number sense is when a person is able to represent large amounts without counting.​ It is a person's ability to understand, connect and relate to numbers.

​We can approximate. We look at something and roughly know how many there are. It is abstract and used in operations.

​Approximate Number System

Early ability with approximate number sense predicts later math ability with organized math that you learn in school. Ability in this area is independent of IQ.

​People with a deficit in the HIPS area are said to have this syndrome. It is unrelated to other abilities

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​Developmental Dyscalculia

There are ways to intervene in dyscalculia. Children can be tested early for this syndrome. Once identified, appropriate intervention could be provided. According to Dr. Nancy Kanwisher, there are efforts underway for intervention programs.

​Andreas Nieder was able to identify that certain neurons have preferences for certain numbers.

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​People with a deficit in the HIPS area of the brain are said to have dyscalculia, which is unrelated to other abilities or IQ. Therefore, these individuals could be considered 2e. Testing for this syndrome is simple and can be offered at a young age. Early identification and intervention would be extremely beneficial.

​MIT Open Courseware- https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/9-13-the-human-brain-spring-2019/resources/lecture-13-number/