Is the evidence that bees understand the number 0 is less than 1?

Some animals have the ability to understand numbers. But there are many numbers that are difficult to define and capture, such as numbers

While only owning more than 1 million neurons, far less than 86 million human cells, the recent finding suggests that bees are really capable of understanding the complex meaning of numbers. "0".

Some animals have the ability to understand numbers. But there are many numbers that are difficult to define and capture, such as "0". In fact, throughout the length of human history, it took us a long time to create the "0" in the counting coefficient.

However, scientists at RMIT University in Australia have found evidence that bees can be special insects that understand the complex concept of "0" numbers.

Picture 1 of Is the evidence that bees understand the number 0 is less than 1?

Bees can be special insects that understand the complex concept of "0" numbers.

Mathematics was created to assist people in calculating and counting numbers. But when you have nothing, you cannot count, that is the usage of the "0" in reality. Sometimes the "0" number also represents something very few and almost nonexistent. Not all animals understand the "0" number and its applicability. But strangely, a lifelong insect only works hard to build nests and make nectar like bees can understand this.

Science Department Scarlett Howard and colleagues at RMIT University, Melbourne believes, the study of how some species understand the meaning of "0" will create the basis for the development of new generation artificial intelligence.

Interestingly, a tiny brain like a bee can understand the concept of "0" while a child takes many years to realize their meaning. Animals such as monkeys or birds can understand what zeroes represent. Even so, scientists cannot expect insects to have such complex thinking abilities.

The human brain has 86 million neurons, while the bee's brain has just over 1 million neurons. This creates disparities and difficulties when studying. But scientists have designed a special testing device, capable of assessing the perception of bees.

The bees involved in the experiment were trained. They are ordered to choose an image with a lower number. The reward for each correct choice is saccharose sugar solution. The idea of ​​the experiment is quite simple when the bees just choose a lower number between the two images. For example, the image shows the numbers 3 and 4, the bee will have to choose the number 3. The bees experience excellent tests in 80% of the time.

Picture 2 of Is the evidence that bees understand the number 0 is less than 1?

Insects also have complex thinking abilities.

But there is a key point, scientists don't teach bees how to react to zero. When the test came to zero, the team just gave a blank sheet of paper, representing "0" number. Interestingly, most bees fly in and choose 0, not 1 or 2,3.

Basically, this means that the bees understand what the meaning of the "0" number represents. Even so, the research team at RMIT University will have a lot to learn before making a final conclusion.

If bees can understand such complex mathematical knowledge, the AI ​​system can do the same or more. Human civilization took a long time to find and understand the meaning of the "0" number.

The fact that bees with a number of neurons is less than humans but are able to understand numbers "0" is extraordinary. If we understand how this mechanism works, we can create increasingly intelligent AI.

Research once again makes the scientific world look different from the natural world. As before, people tend to assert that mammals and birds are the smartest species, because the brain has a complex structure, now this concept may soon change.

Update 17 December 2018
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