Table of Contents

Preface to the Revised and Expanded Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction

Part I: Our Numerical Heritage
Chapter 1: Talented and Gifted Animals
Chapter 2: Babies Who Count
Chapter 3: The Adult Number Line

Part II: Beyond Approximation
Chapter 4: The Language of Numbers
Chapter 5: Small Heads for Big Calculations
Chapter 6: Geniuses and Prodigies

Part III: Of Neurons and Numbers
Chapter 7: Losing Number Sense
Chapter 8: The Computing Brain
Chapter 9: What Is a Number?

Epilogue. The Contemporary Science of Number and Brain

Appendix
Notes and References

Bibliography
Main books consulted
Useful web resources
Detailed bibliography

Index

Promotional Information

Recommended as one of the five must-read books on educating your child by Peg Tyre on The Browser

About the Author

Stanislas Dehaene teaches at the College de France and is Director of the Cognitive Neuroimaging Research Unit at INSERM.

Reviews

"Read The Number Sense for its rich insights into matters as varying as the cuneiform depiction of numbers, why Jean Piaget's theory of stages in infant learning is wrong, and to discover the brain regions involved in the number sense."--The New York Times Book Review
"From the origin of Roman numerals to the latest MRI results, everything you might like to know about numbers and the brain, as filtered through the lively and engaging brain of Stanislas Dehaene."--Discover
"A delight."--Ian Stewart, New Scientist
"Whether he is explaining how this neural macherinery begins its numerical magic early in infancy, how it attains the sophistication required for complex calculations, or how it misfires when the brain suffers certain types of injuries, Dehaene weaves the latest technical research into a remarkably lucid and engrossing investigation. Even readers normally indifferent to mathematics will find themselves marveling at the wonder of minds making
numbers."--Booklist
"This interesting and informative book sets forth the latest findings by Dehaene and other psychologists trying to determine how the brain understands and manipulates numbers and other forms of mathematical information. Included are many startling results of experiments involving animals and infants that shed light on the extent and nature of our inborn number sense. These findings, if they receive the consideration they merit, should have a major impact on the
way mathematics is taught at the elementary and secondary level. Highly recommended."--Library Journal (starred review)
"This may surprise those who have trouble carrying the remainder in division or figuring out a 15 percent tip on a $20 lunch bill, but according to mathematician and psychologist Stanislas Dehaene, mathematics is an inborn skill. In The Number Sense, Dehaene makes a compelling case for the human mind's innate grasp of mathematics. Dehaene's book is filled with examples to support his thesis, from young babies' ability to "count" (i.e., to react when single
objects are replaced by two or more) to examples of how brain damage affects various individuals' number sense. Even more fascinating is his discussion of the relationship between language and numbers.
Though Dehaene's book is about mathematics, even those readers with the worst math anxiety will find The Number Sense an intriguing exploration of the world of numbers--and the human mind." -Amazon.com Review
"In this lively and readable book, Dehaene integrates the latest scientific evidence on how numbers are represented in the brains of animals and humans, then relates this knowledge to the challenges of early mathematics education. Dehaene is masterful in his ability to explain complex scientific findings in a manner that will be accessible to any audience. His writing is clear, and his examples are fascinating, taking us through the worlds of animal
mathematicians, idiot savants, newborn infants, and split-brain patients, all as a means of understanding our innate sense of number."--Jim Stigler, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
"It is now possible to see the human brain as it listens, reads, communicates and calculates. The Number Sense describes recent exciting findings on how the brain calculates. In a clear and exciting way it provides the needed background to understand both the innate endowment of numeracy and what may be necessary to acquire the skills of mathematics. For psychologists, neuroscientists, educators and all who work with number, this book is of basic
importance."--Mike Posner, Professor of Psychology, Department of Cognitive and Decision Sciences, University of Oregon
"Dehaene's study of new brain imaging techniques, idiot savants, and mathematical prodigies illustrates humankind's innate ability to comprehend numberical data."--Science News
"Is number sense innate or learnt? A bit of both? How do our brains do math, anyway? And where did the ability come from? Stanislas Dehaene, a mathematician who became a neuroscientist, is uniquely qualified to answer such questions, and The Number Sense is a delight."--Ian Stewart, New Scientist
"In The Number Sense, Dehaene makes a convincing case, based on many experiments with rats, dolphins, chimpanzees and very young infants, that the ability to do what he calls "fuzzy counting" is hardwired into the brain. He even posits a very convincing neural machanism for this ability, an analog accumulator that keeps approximate track of objects, events, even sounds."--Lucy Horwitz, The Boston Book Review
"Read The Number Sense for its rich insights into matters as varying as the cuneiform depiction of numbers, why Jean Piaget's theory of stages in infant learning is wrong, and to discover the brain regions involved in the number sense."--Steven Rose, New York Times Book Review
"The first edition of The Number Sense was widely praised for its comprehensive
treatment of an important area of research and theory. No better book has emerged since
then... Dehaene provides readers who are new to the area with an excellent overview of the topic." -- Gordon Pitz, Adjunct Professor of Psychology at University of North Carolina, PsychCRITIQUES