Symbolic representations of infinity: the impact of notation and numerical syntax.

Psychol Res

Department of Psychology, Ariel University, 4070000, Ariel, Israel.

Published: December 2024

Past research indicates that concepts of infinity are not fully understood. In countably infinite sets, infinity is presumed to be perceived as larger than any finite natural number. This study explored whether symbolic representations of infinity are processed as such through contrasts with Arabic and verbal written numbers. Comparisons between the infinity word and number words were responded to faster than comparisons of two number words, but not when the infinity symbol was solely compared to Arabic numbers. Moreover, infinity comparisons yielded distance-like effects, suggesting that infinity (both word and symbol) can be misconceived as a "natural number" closer to larger numbers than small ones. These findings demonstrate difficulty perceiving the physically smallest stimulus (∞) as the upper end-value and seem to reflect a limited understanding of symbolic forms of infinity among adults. They further highlight the impact of notation and numerical syntax on how we process symbolic numerical information.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11609123PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00426-024-02050-8DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

infinity
9
symbolic representations
8
representations infinity
8
impact notation
8
notation numerical
8
numerical syntax
8
infinity word
8
symbolic
4
infinity impact
4
syntax indicates
4

Similar Publications

γδ T cells producing either interleukin-17A (γδ cells) or interferon-γ (γδ cells) are generated in the mouse thymus, but the molecular regulators of their peripheral functions are not fully characterized. Here we established an Il17a-GFP:Ifng-YFP double-reporter mouse strain to analyze at unprecedented depth the transcriptomes of pure γδ cell versus γδ cell populations from peripheral lymph nodes. Within a very high fraction of differentially expressed genes, we identify a panel of 20 new signature genes in steady-state γδ cells versus γδ cells, which we further validate in models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and cerebral malaria, respectively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background & Aims: Atezolizumab/bevacizumab (A/B) is now a standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the optimal second-line regimen is not known. We evaluated real-world treatment patterns and outcomes to investigate factors associated with post-progression survival (PPS).

Methods: In this multicenter, international, retrospective study, we examined clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HCC who progressed on first-line A/B.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study compared the bioavailability of the anti-interleukin-5 antibody depemokimab when delivered using a safety syringe device (SSD) versus an autoinjector (AI) in healthy adults.
  • Both methods showed similar plasma concentration profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters, confirming that they are bioequivalent.
  • Adverse events were minor and comparable between the two delivery methods, with headaches being the most common side effect, indicating both devices are safe for administering depemokimab.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To compare two strategies-a hydrocortisone replacement strategy and a prednisone tapering strategy-for their success in glucocorticoid discontinuation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with low disease activity (LDA).

Methods: The Strategies for glucocorticoid TApering in Rheumatoid arthritis (STAR) study was a double- blind, double-placebo randomised controlled trial including patients with RA receiving a stable dose of glucocorticoid 5 mg/day for ≥3 months and were in LDA for ≥3 months. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either replace prednisone with 20 mg/day of hydrocortisone for 3 months, then reduce to 10 mg/day for 3 months before discontinuation or to taper prednisone by 1 mg/day every month until complete discontinuation, contingent on maintaining LDA.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Preoperative anxiety and depression are associated with poorer patient-reported outcomes following total ankle replacements.

Foot Ankle Surg

January 2025

Edinburgh Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, United Kingdom.

Introduction: It is unclear how pre-operative anxiety/depression affects patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) following total ankle replacements (TAR). We investigated the effects of anxiety/depression on PROMs using the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) following TAR.

Methods: PROMs data for primary TAR patients between 2011 and 2022 were extracted from a single-centre regional registry.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!