A recent study published in the journal Current Biology sheds light on how our brains perceive the number zero and why this concept poses challenges to our awareness. Despite the significance of zero in mathematics and everyday life, understanding it requires considerable cognitive effort.
The concept of zero is complex. Unlike other numbers like one, two, or three that represent tangible quantities, zero signifies the absence of a quantity that can be quantified. Florian Mordmann, a researcher at the university clinic of Bonn, explains that zero’s dual nature as both a placeholder and a numerical value makes it difficult to grasp at both a psychological and neural level.
Historically, the invention of zero is hailed as one of humanity’s greatest achievements, with only a few animals showing even a partial understanding of it. In children’s cognitive development, grasping zero often comes later – typically around the age of six. Understanding that zero is less than one and recognizing it as a symbol are key milestones in comprehending this elusive concept. Neurobiologist Elizabeth Brannon highlights that children often initially perceive one as the smallest number and struggle to grasp that zero is actually less than one.
But why is zero challenging for adults? Researchers sought to unravel this mystery and discovered unique neural activity associated with zero. In an experiment involving patients with microelectrodes implanted in their temporal lobe, scientists observed neural responses to the concept of zero. They found that certain neurons reacted to either the symbol of zero or an “empty set,” but not both simultaneously, indicating that the brain processes symbolic and non-symbolic zero differently.
This study provides valuable insights into how our brains perceive and process the concept of zero, offering new perspectives on the neural underpinnings of numerical cognition.