COGNITIVE ASPECTS OF MENTAL CALCULATION - A scientific study to better understand working memory and image schemata by examining five world records set by Paolo Fabiani in mental calculation and memorization

The goal of this study is to better understand working memory and image schemata by examining five world records set by Paolo Fabiani in mental calculation and memorization. The purpose of the records is to demonstrate that the potential and limits of working memory are closely connected with image schemes. The tests were designed to highlight some specific features of image schemata. Some of these aspects are 1) using specific mental images to facilitate the calculation of large numbers; 2) the conversion from binary numbers to decimals and to count from bottom to top; 3) making arithmetic sums proceeding from left to right; 4) converting images into numbers and then “add” the images by thinking about numbers. We can considerably improve the performance of mental calculations by using knowledge of the operating mechanisms of the schemes.