Do Animals Use Math? Math In The Animal World- Animals In Different Perspectives
Hi, and welcome back! After an exciting celebration of World Elephant Day, I thought I'd cool down with a math post before we go back to the regular scheduling of this blog.
Now, I'm probably not your everyday math nerd, but I felt this post was pretty critical to people who think of animals as dumb (I feel bad even putting myself in a perspective of them as this) creatures who aren't as technically advanced as we are. Though they might not be living the uptight galore we are, they are smart and can do some basic math... which is all explained if you keep on reading!
Also, stay tuned for the announcement at the end!
The order the mathematical concepts will be written go from beginner math skills until they develop into more complex. Just like as a student would go up from elementary to high school (and eventually college) level math, you will be going through a five fact cycle as well. (Do note that because of early aged readers I cannot get too advanced)
NOTE: This is not based on facts but rather my thinking.
And here they are...
#1) Counting Basics
My Thinking:
From when you learn basic addition in your first few years before school (and eventually into elementary), animals learn how to use math as well. They know that one is less than two and they probably know basic addition and subtraction. So how come they don't show it? Well, my thinking on it is that one isn't actually called one in their language. Let's take a look at the example problem.
Example Problem (And Solution!) Animal Style:
NOTE: Think of it from a hungry animal who I've never met before's perspective. The animal could be nice, but we're going with the latter here.
It's pretty obvious that a hungry panda would go for two. But the panda probably wouldn't think like a human does: "Two is greater than one so..." A panda would probably take it from an overall volume perspective. This overall looks bigger, so it's the better choice for my lunch. Very generally speaking, this is how I think all animals think- the bigger the better course.
#2) Shapes and Figures Geometry
My Thinking:
As you transition into very basic geometry (Is it preschool, kindergarten when you learn shapes? It's been awhile 😊) you might learn about lines, circles, and triangles. And, well, this isn't exactly "my thinking", but according to multiple sources including this one bees do find their ways home using geometry (though it doesn't seem like it). Take a look at the example problem...
Example Problem (and Solution!) Animal Style:
They certainly don't have Google Maps to find them their route! Instead, as mentioned in the source cited above, they know different "landmarks" for their route back home. What landmarks, exactly? Shapes! "That leaf-shaped thing in the corner... count five more and I'll be home!" They count familiar landmarks like shapes to help them reach their destination. Pretty amazing, right?
#3) Distance Formula (Distance = Rate * Time or Speed = Distance/Time)
My Thinking:
This is introduced in the upper grades of elementary and used after, too. How do you think a gazelle knows if they should run out a cheetah or stay hidden? They don't use the formula, exactly, but they do have a "mathematical sense" as to whether they'll make it or not. That sometimes comes in the form of growling and telling a predator, "Back Off!" or it could come in a form of running. This is better explained through the problem.
Example Problem (and Solution!) Animal Style:
A rare encounter indeed, but these choices are what leads to mathematical thinking. An easy plug in to the formula could generate a good time frame for the gazelle to figure out if it had enough stamina to run (which, most do). However, in real life if we were encountering a smart gazelle with a lot of experience in these situations, it would consider how fast the cheetah could run too. Again, not in mathematical terms, but more of instinctive terms.
#4) Mystery Math
My Thinking:
I'm sure by now you've heard a story about a parrot, cat, dog or any other pet finding its way home. Sometimes, carrying itself to different places they are already familiarized with. And though they could possibly be simply memorizing the look, feel, and way they know the way home, there just might be a different approach...
Example Problem (and Solution!) Animal Style:
Yes, most parrots are actually not the, "Ooh lemme go chase that butterfly!" kind of creatures, but case in point being that even though not all animals might think mathematically, some might. They might count the flaps they had to make to go home, estimate distances (an important mathematical skill is estimating- whether that's marbles, the closest square root, or the ratio of the circumference over the diameter. I know they are simple cases but try to stay with me on this one) identify hexagons, circles, rectangles, or other math. What helps you best memorize the route home?
#5) Terrific Tricks
My Thinking:
Animals are known for tricks of all sorts: Viral Youtube videos of birds knowing how to count, dogs doing addition with a communication of barking, and Clever Hans who left people at the time thinking, "How does he do it?" I'll leave you with the same question... in the Example Problem:
Example Problem (And Solution!) Animal Style:
Really clever, you might have thought. But how did Clever Hans do it? Was he actually adding?
Not quite. This phenomenon actually became known as the, "Clever Hans Phenomenon" years later, after this horse. The key was his taps. He would tap, then wait for a reaction by his master. If this was not present, another tap would result. This is how he was able to be so, "clever."
(This user on Quora explains this really well)
And clever he was! Animals are quite clever, even if they can't do math. We should appreciate them for who they are. Who knows, they just might have some secret we are not even close to figuring out.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article! Mathematics isn't boring and tiring once you've grasped the true meaning of it :)
And now for the announcement....
If you noticed (I hope you did!) that during the summer time there were posts every Monday on a new topic.
However, I have my work and studies kicking in at the end of August, so starting... well, now (or whenever you read this?) I am switching posting weekly to every two weeks or so (you might have noticed this post had a gap of a week). In other words, two to three posts a month.
I might have too much on my plate to post regularly, so switching is quite necessary.
Posts will still be Mondays though!
So that's it! I hope this post wasn't too long and thanks so much for reading!
Stay tuned, follow, and keep exploring!
-TheBookishElephant
Now, I'm probably not your everyday math nerd, but I felt this post was pretty critical to people who think of animals as dumb (I feel bad even putting myself in a perspective of them as this) creatures who aren't as technically advanced as we are. Though they might not be living the uptight galore we are, they are smart and can do some basic math... which is all explained if you keep on reading!
Also, stay tuned for the announcement at the end!
The order the mathematical concepts will be written go from beginner math skills until they develop into more complex. Just like as a student would go up from elementary to high school (and eventually college) level math, you will be going through a five fact cycle as well. (Do note that because of early aged readers I cannot get too advanced)
NOTE: This is not based on facts but rather my thinking.
And here they are...
#1) Counting Basics
My Thinking:
From when you learn basic addition in your first few years before school (and eventually into elementary), animals learn how to use math as well. They know that one is less than two and they probably know basic addition and subtraction. So how come they don't show it? Well, my thinking on it is that one isn't actually called one in their language. Let's take a look at the example problem.
Example Problem (And Solution!) Animal Style:
I am visiting a panda and have brought three bamboo shoots to share. I let the panda decide how much he wants, and the rest I will take home to boil and cook myself. I place two bamboo shoots in one pile and one bamboo shoot in the second pile. The panda knows we are splitting, and he is very hungry. Which pile would the panda choose?
NOTE: Think of it from a hungry animal who I've never met before's perspective. The animal could be nice, but we're going with the latter here.
It's pretty obvious that a hungry panda would go for two. But the panda probably wouldn't think like a human does: "Two is greater than one so..." A panda would probably take it from an overall volume perspective. This overall looks bigger, so it's the better choice for my lunch. Very generally speaking, this is how I think all animals think- the bigger the better course.
#2) Shapes and Figures Geometry
My Thinking:
As you transition into very basic geometry (Is it preschool, kindergarten when you learn shapes? It's been awhile 😊) you might learn about lines, circles, and triangles. And, well, this isn't exactly "my thinking", but according to multiple sources including this one bees do find their ways home using geometry (though it doesn't seem like it). Take a look at the example problem...
Example Problem (and Solution!) Animal Style:
A busy group of bees are travelling home just like they do everyday. How do you think they know the route home?
They certainly don't have Google Maps to find them their route! Instead, as mentioned in the source cited above, they know different "landmarks" for their route back home. What landmarks, exactly? Shapes! "That leaf-shaped thing in the corner... count five more and I'll be home!" They count familiar landmarks like shapes to help them reach their destination. Pretty amazing, right?
#3) Distance Formula (Distance = Rate * Time or Speed = Distance/Time)
My Thinking:
This is introduced in the upper grades of elementary and used after, too. How do you think a gazelle knows if they should run out a cheetah or stay hidden? They don't use the formula, exactly, but they do have a "mathematical sense" as to whether they'll make it or not. That sometimes comes in the form of growling and telling a predator, "Back Off!" or it could come in a form of running. This is better explained through the problem.
Example Problem (and Solution!) Animal Style:
A gazelle has spotted a cheetah in the grasses watching it. The gazelle knows that it can run sixty miles per hour, but it has to run 10 miles until it knows it is in "safe territory. Should the gazelle make the run, or keep in hiding?
A rare encounter indeed, but these choices are what leads to mathematical thinking. An easy plug in to the formula could generate a good time frame for the gazelle to figure out if it had enough stamina to run (which, most do). However, in real life if we were encountering a smart gazelle with a lot of experience in these situations, it would consider how fast the cheetah could run too. Again, not in mathematical terms, but more of instinctive terms.
#4) Mystery Math
My Thinking:
I'm sure by now you've heard a story about a parrot, cat, dog or any other pet finding its way home. Sometimes, carrying itself to different places they are already familiarized with. And though they could possibly be simply memorizing the look, feel, and way they know the way home, there just might be a different approach...
Example Problem (and Solution!) Animal Style:
Polly the Parrot flew out her window on a perfect Saturday afternoon to go chase a butterfly. After a while, she realized she had made a mistake and was far from home. She could either squawk to others to make them notice her, or she could try finding her own way home. What would Polly the Parrot do?
Yes, most parrots are actually not the, "Ooh lemme go chase that butterfly!" kind of creatures, but case in point being that even though not all animals might think mathematically, some might. They might count the flaps they had to make to go home, estimate distances (an important mathematical skill is estimating- whether that's marbles, the closest square root, or the ratio of the circumference over the diameter. I know they are simple cases but try to stay with me on this one) identify hexagons, circles, rectangles, or other math. What helps you best memorize the route home?
#5) Terrific Tricks
My Thinking:
Animals are known for tricks of all sorts: Viral Youtube videos of birds knowing how to count, dogs doing addition with a communication of barking, and Clever Hans who left people at the time thinking, "How does he do it?" I'll leave you with the same question... in the Example Problem:
Example Problem (And Solution!) Animal Style:
Clever Hans was presented in front of an audience one day while his master asked the question, "What is 3+2?" He tapped his foot, once... twice... thrice... four times... and finally five times. The crowd was amazed, and the master once again was clearly delighted. How do you think Clever Hans could do his addition so well?
Really clever, you might have thought. But how did Clever Hans do it? Was he actually adding?
Not quite. This phenomenon actually became known as the, "Clever Hans Phenomenon" years later, after this horse. The key was his taps. He would tap, then wait for a reaction by his master. If this was not present, another tap would result. This is how he was able to be so, "clever."
(This user on Quora explains this really well)
And clever he was! Animals are quite clever, even if they can't do math. We should appreciate them for who they are. Who knows, they just might have some secret we are not even close to figuring out.
And now for the announcement....
If you noticed (I hope you did!) that during the summer time there were posts every Monday on a new topic.
However, I have my work and studies kicking in at the end of August, so starting... well, now (or whenever you read this?) I am switching posting weekly to every two weeks or so (you might have noticed this post had a gap of a week). In other words, two to three posts a month.
I might have too much on my plate to post regularly, so switching is quite necessary.
Posts will still be Mondays though!
So that's it! I hope this post wasn't too long and thanks so much for reading!
Stay tuned, follow, and keep exploring!
-TheBookishElephant
This is just a seperator kind of line so that the words are seperated and everything is good so I really hope it works. TOday we are going to Sanjana and Rohan's house jk that's tomorrow b
- Meet The Author
Hi there! I'm TheBookishElephant- a writer, reader, and a HUGE fan of all things animal! This blog is an inspiration of the animals I have seen growing up, and animals I hope to see as I continue on in my life! Animal Awareness is one of the things that can get out the word and help create change. Want to support my mission? Go ahead and click the follow button! Followers really inspire me to push the blog more and hopefully get word out the whole world! Well, what are you waiting for? There's fun awaiting!
This is just a seperator kind of line so that the words are seperated and everything is good so I really hope it works. TOday we are going to Sanjana and Rohan's house jk that's tomorrow b
This is just a seperator kind of line so that the words are seperated and everything is good so I really hope it works. TOday we are going to Sanjana and Rohan's house jk that's tomorrow b
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This is just a seperator kind of line so that the words are seperated and everything is good so I really hope it works. TOday we are going to Sanjana and Rohan's house jk that's tomorrow b
This is one of your best ones yet... AWESOME!
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