Numerical Expressions in Chinese: Syntax and Semantics

Numerical expressions are linguistic forms related to numbers or quantities, which directly reflect the relationship between linguistic symbols and mathematical cognition. Featuring some unique properties, numeral systems are somewhat distinguished from other language subsystems. For instance, numerals can appear in various grammatical positions, including adjective positions, determiner positions, and argument positions. Thus, linguistic research on numeral systems, especially the research on the syntax and semantics of numerical expressions, has been a popular and recurrent topic. For the syntax of complex numerals, two analyses have been proposed in the literature. The traditional constituency analysis maintains that complex numerals are phrasal constituents, which has been widely accepted and defended as a null hypothesis. The nonconstituency analysis, by contrast, claims that a complex numeral projects a complementative structure in which a numeral is a nominal head selecting a lexical noun or a numeral-noun combination as its complement. As a consequence, additive numerals are transformed from full NP coordination. Whether numerals denote numbers or sets has aroused a long-running debate. The number-denoting view assumes that numerals refer to numbers, which are abstract objects, grammatically equivalent to nouns. The primary issue with this analysis comes from the introduction of a new entity, numbers, into the model of ontology. The set-denoting view argues that numerals refer to sets, which are equivalent to adjectives or quantifiers in grammar. One main difficulty of this view is how to account for numerals in arithmetic sentences.

The Cultural Challenge in Mathematical Cognition

In their recent paper on “Challenges in mathematical cognition”, Alcock and colleagues (Alcock et al. [2016]. Challenges in mathematical cognition: A collaboratively-derived research agenda. Journal of Numerical Cognition, 2, 20-41) defined a research agenda through 26 specific research questions. An important dimension of mathematical cognition almost completely absent from their discussion is the cultural constitution of mathematical cognition. Spanning work from a broad range of disciplines – including anthropology, archaeology, cognitive science, history of science, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology – we argue that for any research agenda on mathematical cognition the cultural dimension is indispensable, and we propose a set of exemplary research questions related to it.

Kant's Mathematical World

Kant's Mathematical World aims to transform our understanding of Kant's philosophy of mathematics and his account of the mathematical character of the world. Daniel Sutherland reconstructs Kant's project of explaining both mathematical cognition and our cognition of the world in terms of our most basic cognitive capacities. He situates Kant in a long mathematical tradition with roots in Euclid's Elements, and thereby recovers the very different way of thinking about mathematics which existed prior to its 'arithmetization' in the nineteenth century. He shows that Kant thought of mathematics as a science of magnitudes and their measurement, and all objects of experience as extensive magnitudes whose real properties have intensive magnitudes, thus tying mathematics directly to the world. His book will appeal to anyone interested in Kant's critical philosophy -- either his account of the world of experience, or his philosophy of mathematics, or how the two inform each other.

Analisis Kemampuan Penalaran Numerik Siswa dalam Menyelesaikan Soal Berbasis Mathematical Cognition di Sekolah Dasar

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kemampuan penalaran numerik siswa kelas III SD Negeri 25 Padang dalam menjawab soal yang berbasis mathematical cognition. Subjek peneilitan ini adalah SD Negeri 25 Parupuk Tabing Padang kelas III yang terdiri dari 16 siswa. Instrumen yang digunakan berupa tes dan wawancara. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif. Berdasarkan analisis data dapat disimpulkan bahwa kemampuan penalaran numerik siswa masih rendah dalam menyelesaikan soal berbasis mathematical cognition. Siswa tidak mampu memahami angka dan memberikan alasan mengenai hubungan antar angka.

Deepening the Understanding of Mathematics with Geometric Intuition

Geometric intuition is one of the core concepts introduced by the new mathematical curriculum standards. It aims to use intuition and intuitive materials to deepen the understanding of mathematics in mathematical cognition activities. It does not only play a role in the learning of “graphics and geometry,’ but its’ irreplaceable role also involves the whole process of mathematics education. Therefore, if teachers can skillfully use geometric intuition in the teaching process, classroom efficiency will be greatly improved.