Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Definition, Characteristics, and Activities for its Development

The ability to understand logical patterns, organize, and quantify objects is a characteristic that distinguishes humans from other species. It is a constant need for us to search for the meaning of the world around us. Since childhood, we order, reorder, and quantify objects according to their characteristics. The ability to use numbers correctly and reason are essential elements in the field of study and the workplace. Logical-mathematical intelligence allows us to analyze information, seek order, and give meaning to situations to apply it to problems in our daily lives. Next, we will discuss logical-mathematical intelligence and how we can develop it during our lives.

The logical-mathematical intelligence is one of the eight intelligences that make up Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. It is important to remember that Gardner defines intelligence as “the ability to solve problems or produce products that are of importance in a given cultural context or community.”

In his theory, Gardner indicates that there are eight types of intelligences. They work together, but at the same time, they are independent. They all have the capacity for development based on stimuli. In this article, we will be describing one of them, logical-mathematical intelligence.

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to identify logical or numerical patterns and the ability to reason. Helps understand and use abstract relationships. The processes used in logical-mathematical intelligence include categorization, classification, inference, generalization, calculation, and hypothesis testing. It is attributed to people looking for patterns, performing mental math, and classifying objects. Along with linguistic verbal intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence has occupied an important place in our society. In fact, IQ tests are responsible for measuring people’s performance in these two areas.

It should be noted that logical-mathematical intelligence is oriented to numbers and includes non-numerical logical relationships. It is essential to know that instruction in critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and logic must be prioritized to develop this intelligence.

Logical-mathematical intelligence can be stimulated in the classroom with environments where students experiment, classify, categorize, and analyze objects and look for patterns and relationships between them. Problem-solving exercises promote the development of this problem.

Characteristics of people with developed logical-mathematical intelligence:

They think abstractly.

Their thinking does not include the use of images. Therefore, it is difficult to describe it because it lacks shapes or forms. People who have this intelligence in its maximum development describe it as an experience or feeling of relationship or meaning between objects.

They like analogies.

One of their favorite hobbies is interpreting analogies which they manage to do in an excellent way. They find the meaning and logic of different situations using their critical thinking.

Use critical thinking to solve problems.

Usually they use all the variables around them to make sense of their world and solve problems in their environment. They propose innovative and logical solutions.

They are excellent at justifying their arguments.

Participating in debates and logically defending their arguments is their hobby. They like to be at the forefront of scientific discoveries and how they influence daily life.

Look for patterns and relationships between objects.

They love to look for patterns, organize and group objects according to their characteristics. They love to collect and rearrange them.

Strategies and materials used by people with developed logical-mathematical intelligence:

Puzzles

By using puzzles, they increase their sense of logic, organization, grouping, and common sense.

Scientific experiments

They ask questions, propose hypotheses, experiment, and reach validated conclusions using the scientific method.

Mental calculations

Through different exercises, they make daily mental calculations without needing a calculator. They practice simple mental exercises daily.

Numerical games

Through games with numbers, they develop their ability to perform mental calculations and solve puzzles that involve logic.

Use of Legos

They use Legos to create worlds, organize, group, and design patterns that make sense of the world around them.

Activities you can do to develop your logical-mathematical intelligence:

Participate in logical-mathematical games with friends or family.

Among the games that develop logical-mathematical intelligence are Monopoly, Clue, and dominoes. These encourage critical thinking, mental calculations, and problem-solving.

Practice calculating math problems in your mind.

The more simple math problems are practiced in mind, the more this skill develops. Initially, you can start with simple addition and subtraction problems and complicate them more and more, so the brain creates relationships and applies them to situation solving.

Visit science museums, planetariums, aquariums, or other science centers.

Museums encourage discussion, research, and sharing of innovative, scientific, and cutting-edge topics. It is an excellent opportunity to network with peers who share the same interests.

Participate in study groups to discuss recent scientific discoveries and their implications for life.

Study groups encourage discussion, debate, and interpersonal relationships based on scientific discoveries and their importance in our lives. It is an opportunity to interact with people who share the same interests and dialogue about them.

Teach other people math or science concepts.

The purpose of this exercise is to increase the ability to solve problems by applying mathematical knowledge. Teaching this helps us reinforce our understanding and forge a meaningful learning process. Through exchanging ideas and information, people can be exposed to other existing perspectives.

Subscribe to scientific journals.

This activity will allow you to stay at the forefront of scientific discoveries and studies. You will learn the origins of these and their implications in our daily lives. This encourages the organization of ideas and coherent expression.

The logical-mathematical intelligence is of utmost importance in forming the human being from childhood. We live in a technological world full of problems where the ability to solve them and use critical thinking is the basis of our evolution as a species. These skills can be developed from childhood, both in the classroom and at home. The more we expose ourselves to solving problems, organizing, grouping objects, and looking for the meaning of everything we do, the better we will solve problems. This allows us to improve our world and create solutions that facilitate our daily actions. Therefore, when you develop this intelligence, you can think better and, therefore, use a critical sense before life’s situations.

References

Armstrong, T. (1993). 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Many Intelligences. Plume.

Armstrong, T. (2006). Inteligencias múltiples en el aula. Barcelona: Paidós.

Bartolomei-Torres, P. (2018). Inteligencias múltiples en el aula, un recurso para el aprendizaje significativo en la Enseñanza de una Lengua Extranjera (Ph.D). Universidad de Granada. Recuperado de http://hdl.handle.net/10481/52430

Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind. New York: Basic Books.

Gardner, H. (1993). Multiple intelligences. New York: Basic Books.

Hall, M.C. (1999). Multiple Intelligences: Teaching Kids the Way They Learn. Torrance, CA: Frank Schaffer Publications, Inc.

Suazo-Díaz, S. (2006). Inteligencias múltiples: manual práctico para el nivel elemental. San Juan, Puerto Rico: La Editorial, Universidad de Puerto Rico.