Basic and Exceptional Calculation Abilities in a Calculating Prodigy: A Case Study
(1999) Mathematical Cognition — Vol. 5, n° 2, p. 97-148 (1999)
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- Abstract
- We describe the basic and exceptional calculation abilities of a calculating prodigy whose performances were investigated in single- and multi-digit number multiplication, numerical comparison, raising of powers, and short-term memory tasks. The study shows how the highly efficient long-term memory storage and retrieval processes of this calculating prodigy, his knowledge of calculation algorithms, and his good short-term memory capacity all contribute to his calculation expertise. Moreover, his pattern of performance in tasks based on memory retrieval strategies sheds new light on the problem-size/difficulty effect exhibited by normal subjects in basic arithmetical operations. When direct memory retrieval is the only strategy used by this calculating prodigy to answer a problem, the size of the item and the size of the answer do not affect the response latency. This result supports interpretations of the problem-size/difficulty effect in terms of learning and practice, and challenges interpretations in terms of magnitude itself.
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Pesenti, M., Seron, X., Samson, D., & Duroux, B. (1999). Basic and Exceptional Calculation Abilities in a Calculating Prodigy: A Case Study. Mathematical Cognition, 5(2), 97-148. https://doi.org/10.1080/135467999387270 (Original work published 1999)