The study by Pica, Lemer, Dehaene, and Izard investigates the numerical cognition of Mundurukú, an Amazonian language with a limited number vocabulary. Despite lacking words for numbers beyond 5, Mundurukú speakers can compare and add large approximate numbers, but struggle with exact arithmetic for numbers larger than 4 or 5. The findings suggest a distinction between a nonverbal system for approximate number representation and a language-based system for exact number and arithmetic. The study supports the idea that language plays a crucial role in the development of exact arithmetic, while approximate number sense is more innate and independent of language.The study by Pica, Lemer, Dehaene, and Izard investigates the numerical cognition of Mundurukú, an Amazonian language with a limited number vocabulary. Despite lacking words for numbers beyond 5, Mundurukú speakers can compare and add large approximate numbers, but struggle with exact arithmetic for numbers larger than 4 or 5. The findings suggest a distinction between a nonverbal system for approximate number representation and a language-based system for exact number and arithmetic. The study supports the idea that language plays a crucial role in the development of exact arithmetic, while approximate number sense is more innate and independent of language.