When you worry about math, your brain feels pain
Using fMRI, researchers have found that the brain areas that are activated by the anticipation of math problems in highly math-anxious people overalp with the same brain regions that register threat and pain. The fMRI scans showed that the anticipation of math caused activity in the brain that was similar to physical pain.
Surprisingly, researchers found that the associated brain activation doesn’t occur during the actual math problem, but rather during the anticipation of the problem.
This latest study shows that math anxiety might need to be addressed just like any other phobia, as there is an indication of a real, negative psychological reaction to the prospect of doing math.
Although this is compelling - careful consideration of confounding factors is always important, and further careful research needs to be carried out to address these.
I can’t help it with the bad math humor, guys. Sorry*.
(*Not actually sorry)
(via Sci_Phile)
I don’t want to go off on a tangent or anything …
Fractal flatware.
Best appearance of fractals since this collection of satellite photos demonstrating Earth’s fractal geography patterns.
(via fractalforums)
fibonacci nacho
The golden cheese ratio.
Behold the most adorkable math problem ever devised.
“Cell Division” tees available here.
Well played.
Tatiana Plakhova - Music is Math (2010)
This is superb work from a superb design artist. According to Tatiana’s website, she uses a myriad of influences from music to science, and then converts them into data and pattern visualizations via a mix of her own hand and mathematical rendering software.
The results are just stunning. Check out her full collection.
(Source: likeafieldmouse)
