Arithmetic

Arithmetic is a branch of mathematics that deals with number systems and operations with such numbers. It is characterized by its precision, compositionality, symbolizability, stability, internal consistency, and applicability to the real world. Relying heavily on notation and writing systems, it pertains to the realm of high order cognition. Arithmetic is a late invention in human history, and not all human groups have develop arithmetic knowledge. In nowadays western-driven educational systems, arithmetic is considered a cornerstone of most school curricula. There are views, however, that consider the origin of arithmetic abilities to be part of the genetic endowment of many vertebrates, manifesting thus independently of language and cultural practices. Such views are shared by many in contemporary experimental psychology, child development, and cognitive neuroscience. But, it remains to be determined whether findings in such fields are about arithmetic as such (i.e., with the properties described above), or about other phenomena such as approximate numerosity estimation, subitizing (i.e., fast, error-free judgments of the numerosity of very small collections of items), and psychophysical properties of stimuli intensity and stimuli perception (e.g., Weber-Fechner Law).