The bees know the concept of zero
Bees understand what “zero” and you can choose two numbers less. Scientists have discovered this fact in a series of experiments with insects. The study is published in the journal Science.
The concept of zero is a rather complex mathematical concept, because in order to understand it, you need to be able to think abstractly. For a long time it was thought that it can only people. Then it turned out that it can do some of the monkeys and birds. An international group of scientists from Australia and France have discovered that the bees are also included in this “elite club”.
Bees are distinguished from other insects by outstanding mental abilities. For example, they can observe other dogs and learn from them. Also they are familiar with the concept of “same” and “different”. In a new series of experiments, the researchers tested whether the bees to sort a set of values in ascending order, and it is understood that “zero” should be at the top.
First, the researchers taught the bees to choose from two images, which is less than the elements. For example, if a piece of paper drawn three circles, and for a second or two, then bees should choose the second. After that they offered the bees a choice of two papers, one of which was one circle, and the second was nothing. Bees have successfully coped with this task, and chose a blank piece of paper, though I never met with the concept of “empty set”.