The neural differences of arithmetic verification performance depend on math skill: Evidence from event‐related potential

Abstract

Aim Math skill is a basic need for an individual, as a career prospect. However, little is known about early brain processes of arithmetic between individuals with different math skill. Therefore, we questioned the modulation of the amplitude of an early negative component by math skill level in an arithmetic verification paradigm using event‐related potential (ERP). Methods Thirty‐six right‐handed participants were assigned in two groups of high‐ and low‐performing students. Their electroencephalogram was recorded while they completed an arithmetic verification task. Simple arithmetic operands were made by random digits from 1 to 9. Addition and subtraction operations were equally used in correct and incorrect responses. The accuracy scores, reaction times, and peak amplitude of the negativity in 200‐400 ms time window were analyzed. Results The high‐performing group showed significantly higher response speeds, and they were more accurate than the low‐performing group. The group × region interaction effect was significant. The high‐performing group showed a significantly greater negativity, particularly in parietal region, while the low‐performing group showed a significantly deeper negativity in frontal and prefrontal region. In the low‐performing group, there were significant peak amplitude differences between the anterior and posterior areas. However, such differences were not detected in the high‐performing group. Conclusion Students with different mathematical performance showed distinct patterns in early processing of arithmetic verification, as reflected by differences in negativity at 200‐400 ms at anterior and posterior. This suggests that ERPs could be used to differentiate math mastery at neural level which is beneficial in educational and clinical contexts.

Effect of correlated color temperature and illuminance on sustained attention collected via electroencephalography signals

“…In terms of attention level data collection and processing, most scholars used various questionnaires, scales, or experimental measurement methods, such as short‐term memory recall (Knez & Hygge, 2002), word repetition (LaPointe et al, 2005), the “Go/No‐go” task, the paced visual serial addition task (PVSAT) (Cui et al, 2022), and the numerical verification (NV) task (Taghizadeh et al, 2021). Since attention is a complex neurological and psychological phenomenon involving many different brain structures and mechanisms, it is impossible to measure a subject's attention level directly and quickly solely using questionnaires, scales, or experimental measurements, while instant inspection and feedback are impossible.…”

“…In terms of attention level data collection and processing, most scholars used various questionnaires, scales, or experimental measurement methods, such as short-term memory recall (Knez & Hygge, 2002), word repetition (LaPointe et al, 2005), the "Go/No-go" task, the paced visual serial addition task (PVSAT) (Cui et al, 2022), and the numerical verification (NV) task (Taghizadeh et al, 2021).…”

Development is in the details: Event‐related theta oscillations reveal children and adults verify multiplication facts differently

“…Similarly, the arithmetic ERP effect was thought to reflect sentence-like comprehension of the multiplication facts, where the operands facilitate access to the correct solution resulting in a reduction of N400 amplitude . This interpretation of this arithmetic N400 was adopted in many subsequent studies (Domahs et al, 2007;Jost et al, 2004;Salillas & Wicha, 2012;Szucs & Csépe, 2004;Szucs & Soltész, 2010;Taghizadeh et al, 2021).…”

Temporal-spatial deciphering mental subtraction in the human brain

“…In addition to the fMRI, evoked (phase-locked) and induced (non-phase-locked) activities in the electroencephalography (EEG) pattern have highlighted neurophysiological patterns of mental subtraction in the human brain. The event-related potential (ERP) results were employed to identify several negative components between 200 ms and 400 ms in subtraction that have been referred to as N200, N270, N300, P300 and N400, compared with addition or multiplication (Jasinski and Coch 2012 ; Taghizadeh et al 2021 ; Gao et al 2022 ). The event-related desynchronization and synchronization (ERD/ERS) also revealed that subtractions is associated with a lower theta ERS than multiplication in the frontal and parietooccipital cortices (Brunner et al 2021 ); additionally, it displayed a higher alpha ERD than addition, with the largest difference in the parietooccipital cortex (De Smedt et al 2009a ).…”