Are fractions intuitive? Exploring the neurocognitive mechanisms of symbolic fraction processing in children and adults

• In Event: Making Sense of Mathematics: Harnessing Pre-Colonial Knowledge, History, Neuroscience, and Inclusive Education to Address Gaps

Proposal

Fraction understanding is critical for mathematics achievement and academic success. However, despite considerable research and teaching efforts, fractions are difficult for both children and adults to grasp. These difficulties have led some to postulate that fractions and rational numbers are not intuitive and are not supported by the human cognitive architecture (Innate Constraint Account, Ni & Zhou, 2005). Recently, researchers have challenged this theory claiming the presence of an intuitive, perceptual Ratio Processing System (RPS) that aids in the automatic processing of non-symbolic and symbolic fraction magnitudes (Lewis, Matthews, & Hubbard, 2016 ). The presence of two conflicting theories demands further investigation in the domain of fraction knowledge. In this talk, I will shed some light on the intuitive ability to process ratios among individuals with varying levels of math skills as well as its role in processing symbolic fractions (Bhatia et al., 2020). I will also discuss the neural representations underlying symbolic fractions and non-symbolic relational magnitudes (Bhatia et al., 2022). By unraveling the cognitive mechanisms supporting fraction learning we may inform theories of math development and support educators and researchers to design effective instruction and remediation in classrooms.

Author

• Parnika Bhatia, School-to-School International STS