Abstract
Recent studies have examined linguistic abilities in apes1–6. However, although human mathematical abilities seem to be derived from the same foundation as those in language, we have little evidence for mathematical abilities in apes (but for exceptions see refs 7–10). In the present study, a 5-yr-old female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), ‘Ai’, was trained to use Arabic numerals to name the number of items in a display. Ai mastered numerical naming from one to six and was able to name the number, colour and object of 300 types of samples. Although no particular sequence of describing samples was required, the chimpanzee favoured two sequences (colour/object/number and object/colour/number). The present study demonstrates that the chimpanzee was able to describe the three attributes of the sample items and spontaneously organized the ‘word order’.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gardner, R. A. & Gardner, B. T. Science 165, 664–672 (1969).
Premack, D. Intelligence in Ape and Man (Erlbaum, Hillsdale, New Jersey, 1976).
Rumbaugh, D. M. (ed.) Language Learning by a Chimpanzee (Academic, New York, 1977).
Fouts, R. S. Science 180, 978–980 (1973).
Patterson, F. G. Brain and Language 5, 72–97 (1978).
Terrace, H. S., Petitto, L. A., Sanders, R. J. & Bever, T. G. Science 206, 891–902 (1979).
Ferster, C. B. & Hammer, C. E. Jr in Operant Behavior: Areas of Research and Application (ed. Honig, W. K.) 634–676 (Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, 1966).
Dooley, G. B. & Gill, T. V. in Language Learning by a Chimpanzee (ed. Rumbaugh, D. M.) 247–260 (Academic, New York, 1977).
Woodruff, G. & Premack, D. Nature 293, 568–570 (1981).
Davis, H. & Memmott, J. Psychol. Bull. 92, 547–571 (1982).
Asano, T., Kojima, T., Matsuzawa, T., Kubota, K. & Murofushi, K. Proc. Japan. Acad. 58B, 118–122 (1982).
Kojima, T. Int. J. Primat. 5, 161–182 (1984).
Matsuzawa, T., Asano, T., Kubota, K. & Murofushi, K. in Current Perspectives in Primate Social Dynamics: Selected Proc. 9th Congr. int. primatol. Soc. (eds Taub, D. M. & King, F. A.) (Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, in the press).
Matsuzawa, T. J. hum. Evol. (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Matsuzawa, T. Use of numbers by a chimpanzee. Nature 315, 57–59 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/315057a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/315057a0
This article is cited by
-
Maze runners: monkeys show restricted Arabic numeral summation during computerized two-arm maze performance
Animal Cognition (2024)
-
May the force be with you: exploring force discrimination in chimpanzees using the force-feedback device
Primates (2024)
-
Slowly walking down to the more food: relative quantity discrimination in African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata)
Animal Cognition (2023)
-
Can Fish Count?
The Mathematical Intelligencer (2023)
-
What Can AI Learn from Psychology and When Can AI Neglect it?
Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences (2023)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.