| Negative numbers in simple arithmetic. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20155575 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Are negative numbers processed differently from positive numbers in arithmetic problems? In two experiments, adults (N = 66) solved standard addition and subtraction problems such as 3 + 4 and 7 - 4 and recasted versions that included explicit negative signs-that is, 3 - (-4), 7 + (-4), and (-4) + 7. Solution times on the recasted problems were slower than those on standard problems, but the effect was much larger for addition than subtraction. The negative sign may prime subtraction in both kinds of recasted problem. Problem size effects were the same or smaller in recasted than in standard problems, suggesting that the recasted formats did not interfere with mental calculation. These results suggest that the underlying conceptual structure of the problem (i.e., addition vs. subtraction) is more important for solution processes than the presence of negative numbers. |
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Authors:
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Runa Das; Jo-Anne LeFevre; Marcie Penner-Wilger |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2010-02-11 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Quarterly journal of experimental psychology (2006) Volume: 63 ISSN: 1747-0226 ISO Abbreviation: Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) Publication Date: 2010 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-10-06 Completed Date: 2011-01-28 Revised Date: 2011-10-19 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101259775 Medline TA: Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1943-52 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adolescent Adult Female Humans Male Mathematics* Neuropsychological Tests Problem Solving / physiology* Questionnaires Reaction Time / physiology Young Adult |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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