Algebra dissociates from arithmetic in the brain semantic network

Abstract

Background Mathematical expressions mainly include arithmetic (such as 8 − (1 + 3)) and algebra (such as a − (b + c)). Previous studies have shown that both algebraic processing and arithmetic involved the bilateral parietal brain regions. Although previous studies have revealed that algebra was dissociated from arithmetic, the neural bases of the dissociation between algebraic processing and arithmetic is still unclear. The present study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify the specific brain networks for algebraic and arithmetic processing. Methods Using fMRI, this study scanned 30 undergraduates and directly compared the brain activation during algebra and arithmetic. Brain activations, single-trial (item-wise) interindividual correlation and mean-trial interindividual correlation related to algebra processing were compared with those related to arithmetic. The functional connectivity was analyzed by a seed-based region of interest (ROI)-to-ROI analysis. Results Brain activation analyses showed that algebra elicited greater activation in the angular gyrus and arithmetic elicited greater activation in the bilateral supplementary motor area, left insula, and left inferior parietal lobule. Interindividual single-trial brain-behavior correlation revealed significant brain-behavior correlations in the semantic network, including the middle temporal gyri, inferior frontal gyri, dorsomedial prefrontal cortices, and left angular gyrus, for algebra. For arithmetic, the significant brain-behavior correlations were located in the phonological network, including the precentral gyrus and supplementary motor area, and in the visuospatial network, including the bilateral superior parietal lobules. For algebra, significant positive functional connectivity was observed between the visuospatial network and semantic network, whereas for arithmetic, significant positive functional connectivity was observed only between the visuospatial network and phonological network. Conclusion These findings suggest that algebra relies on the semantic network and conversely, arithmetic relies on the phonological and visuospatial networks.

Different cognitive mechanisms used for solving open and closed math problems

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Long-Term Bridge Training Induces Functional Plasticity Changes in the Brain of Early-Adult Individuals

“…The study found that compared with the non-mathematical tasks, the calculation task activates the parietal lobes [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Compared with algebraic computation, the inferior parietal lobules are also activated by calculation tasks [ 37 ], regardless of whether the calculation task is addition or subtraction [ 38 ]. TMS was used to stimulate the parietal lobe region, and it was found that this region had an impact on both response time and accuracy of arithmetic tasks [ 39 , 40 ].…”

Math anxiety as an independent psychological construct among social‐emotional attitudes: An exploratory factor analysis

“…Brain-behavior correlation analysis suggested that the prefrontal cortex was also activated in mathematical processing, such as algebraic expression. 14 Math anxiety may be affected by the interaction between the brain regions involved in mathematical processing and emotion control. These findings suggest that math anxiety may be a unique factor affecting mathematics learning.…”

“…Effective connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex regions was specific to math anxiety and unrelated to general anxiety. Brain–behavior correlation analysis suggested that the prefrontal cortex was also activated in mathematical processing, such as algebraic expression 14 . Math anxiety may be affected by the interaction between the brain regions involved in mathematical processing and emotion control.…”