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Basic instinct for math?

It seems that there are two numbering systems in humans – a general sense of numbers for some quick and dirty estimates and some more genuine computation skills of showing the result of (2327)^2. At least the first capacity seems to be inborn (and an important survival skill). According a recent SZ article (29th Sept 2008) a host of new studies now show that

the two number systems, the bestial and celestial, may be profoundly related, an insight with potentially broad implications for math education

and as I believe – for science in general as most science fields are being dominated by the Fermi problem. Continue reading Basic instinct for math?