What is logical-mathematical intelligence? Why do some people excel at solving complex puzzles? How do children develop the skills needed for mathematical reasoning and scientific discovery?
In Frames of Mind, Howard Gardner explores logical-mathematical intelligence—the ability to recognize patterns, follow reasoning, and connect abstract concepts. This intelligence powers the work of mathematicians seeking patterns and scientists investigating physical reality through experimentation.
Keep reading to discover how this intelligence develops from infancy and why it’s often overvalued compared to other forms of smarts.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
What is logical-mathematical intelligence, exactly? Howard Gardner explains that it’s a type of conceptual intelligence that allows you to recognize patterns, follow lines of reasoning, and make connections between abstract concepts. This type of information is encoded in numbers, mathematical operations, logic symbols, and so on.
Mathematicians and scientists heavily rely on this type of intelligence in their work, albeit in different ways. Mathematicians are often driven by a desire to find patterns and create abstract systems using numbers; scientists, on the other hand, seek to understand physical reality through study and experimentation. Some such people—such as Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking—are commonly considered geniuses.
(Shortform note: Logical-mathematical intelligence tends to be valued more highly than other forms of intelligence, particularly in the US (where Gardner lives). This is in large part due to schools emphasizing math skills and critical thinking, with traditional IQ tests and standardized tests such as the SAT focusing on those abilities. This is why, for instance, someone such as Einstein is commonly referred to as a “genius,” rather than as a “logical-mathematical genius”: People largely view those terms as synonymous. However, as we’ll discuss later, Gardner rejects the idea that one form of intelligence is more valid or more important than any other—on the contrary, he favors embracing and supporting each person’s unique strengths.)
Gardner says that, like linguistic intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence has a clear path of development that begins in infancy.
At less than a year old, children start to understand simple cause-and-effect patterns and to make comparisons (such as recognizing that one object is larger than another). They begin learning to count between one and two years old, generally by counting physical items they can see and touch. By age six or seven, children can perform simple abstract reasoning and work with hypothetical scenarios—for instance, “If I have two apples, then add one more, how many apples do I have?”
(Shortform note: While you most likely developed the foundational skills of logical-mathematical intelligence in early childhood as Gardner describes here, you can continue to improve your math and reasoning abilities throughout your life. Some common practices include finding chances to create complex systems and solve logic puzzles (“engine-building” board games are effective for this), training yourself to be more aware of your own thought processes (such as through mindfulness meditation), and continuing to study and practice math even after finishing school.)
Gardner admits that it’s difficult to say exactly which parts of the brain give rise to this intelligence. While certain brain areas, particularly in the left hemisphere, seem important for numerical and logical operations, logical-mathematical abilities may be distributed throughout the brain. This makes logical-mathematical abilities more vulnerable to general cognitive decline (that is, dementia), but more resilient in the face of localized brain damage.
(Shortform note: Another reason why it can be difficult to pinpoint where a particular type of intelligence comes from—and why certain abilities such as logical-mathematical skills can withstand brain damage—is a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. This refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt its neural networks throughout life by forming new connections and pathways between neurons. Neuroplasticity becomes particularly important following an injury or trauma to the brain, as it allows healthy regions to compensate for the damaged areas by taking on their functions.)
