What happens in your brain when you solve a maths problem?

Updated

To solve a maths problem, your visual cortex reads it, the parietal cortex and angular gyrus process the numbers and retrieve arithmetic facts, and the prefrontal cortex holds information in working memory. The motor cortex then writes the answer.

Visual Cortex, Parietal Cortex, Angular Gyrus, Prefrontal Cortex, Motor Cortex lit up on the Brain Atlas 3D brain: what happens in your brain when you solve a maths problem
Figure. The brain regions that light up when you solve a maths problem, in order: Visual Cortex (seeing the problem), then Parietal Cortex (quantities and space), then Angular Gyrus (math facts), then Prefrontal Cortex (working memory), then Motor Cortex (writing the answer).

Watch it light up on the 3D brain

Brain regions that light up

OrderRegionWhat it does here
1Visual CortexThe visual cortex processes the written numbers and symbols.
2Parietal CortexThe parietal cortex represents numerical quantities and directs attention to the problem.
3Angular GyrusThe angular gyrus retrieves arithmetic facts and processes mathematical symbols.
4Prefrontal CortexThe prefrontal cortex holds intermediate results and plans the solution steps.
5Motor CortexThe motor cortex generates the hand movements to write down the solution.

1. Visual Cortex: seeing the problem

Step 1 of what happens in your brain when you solve a maths problem: Visual Cortex lit on the Brain Atlas 3D brain
Figure 1. Visual Cortex, seeing the problem: The visual cortex processes the written numbers and symbols.

The primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe receives input from the eyes and extracts basic features like edges and shapes. This initial processing allows the brain to recognize the characters as numbers and operators. It is the first step in reading the problem.

2. Parietal Cortex: quantities and space

Step 2 of what happens in your brain when you solve a maths problem: Visual Cortex, Parietal Cortex lit on the Brain Atlas 3D brain
Figure 2. Parietal Cortex, quantities and space: The parietal cortex represents numerical quantities and directs attention to the problem.

The parietal cortex, especially the intraparietal sulcus, is crucial for numerical cognition. It encodes the magnitude of numbers and their spatial relationships, supporting the manipulation of quantities. This region also helps focus attention on relevant parts of the problem.

3. Angular Gyrus: math facts

Step 3 of what happens in your brain when you solve a maths problem: Visual Cortex, Parietal Cortex, Angular Gyrus lit on the Brain Atlas 3D brain
Figure 3. Angular Gyrus, math facts: The angular gyrus retrieves arithmetic facts and processes mathematical symbols.

The angular gyrus, at the temporoparietal junction, is part of the brain's arithmetic network. It is thought to mediate the retrieval of overlearned arithmetic facts from long-term memory, such as multiplication tables. Damage to this area can lead to acalculia, a selective impairment in arithmetic.

4. Prefrontal Cortex: working memory

Step 4 of what happens in your brain when you solve a maths problem: Visual Cortex, Parietal Cortex, Angular Gyrus, Prefrontal Cortex lit on the Brain Atlas 3D brain
Figure 4. Prefrontal Cortex, working memory: The prefrontal cortex holds intermediate results and plans the solution steps.

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is essential for working memory, allowing you to keep numbers in mind while performing calculations. It also exerts executive control, selecting appropriate strategies and monitoring progress. This region is more active for complex, multi-step problems than for simple recall.

5. Motor Cortex: writing the answer

Step 5 of what happens in your brain when you solve a maths problem: Visual Cortex, Parietal Cortex, Angular Gyrus, Prefrontal Cortex, Motor Cortex lit on the Brain Atlas 3D brain
Figure 5. Motor Cortex, writing the answer: The motor cortex generates the hand movements to write down the solution.

If the answer is written, the primary motor cortex in the frontal lobe sends signals to the spinal cord to control the muscles of the hand and fingers. This region executes the voluntary movements needed to produce the written response. Its activity is contralateral to the writing hand.

Good to know

  • The parietal cortex shows increased activity during numerical comparison and arithmetic tasks, suggesting a core role in number processing.
  • The angular gyrus is part of the brain's 'arithmetic network' and is thought to store or retrieve well-learned math facts.
  • The prefrontal cortex maintains intermediate results in working memory, which is essential for multi-step calculations.

Mental arithmetic vs. reading a sentence

Both tasks activate visual cortex for reading, but arithmetic additionally recruits the parietal cortex and angular gyrus for number processing, while reading a sentence engages Broca's and Wernicke's areas for language. Thus, the spatial and numerical networks distinguish math from pure reading.

Test yourself

  1. Which brain region is most responsible for holding numbers in working memory during a multi-step calculation?

  2. If a person sustains damage to the angular gyrus, what aspect of maths problem solving would likely be impaired?

  3. Which region processes the initial visual input of the written problem?

0 of 3 answered · 0 correct

Simplified: many regions work together at once, and this shows the main players in the order they act.