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Zero to hero (mander.xyz)
submitted 1 month ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[-] Allero 11 points 1 month ago

Why do we even use natural numbers as a subset?

There are whole numbers already

[-] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Apparently some people are scared of negative numbers.

[-] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

They're not natural

[-] NoFood4u@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I'm not too good at math but i think it's because the set of integers is defined as the set that contains all natural numbers and their opposites, while the set of natural numbers is defined using the successor function - 0 (or 1) is a natural number; if a number n natural, then S(n) is natural where S(n) = n+1.

[-] Allero 1 points 1 month ago

Thanks!

But if we talk whole numbers, we just change the rule that if n is whole, then S(n) is whole where S(n)=n±1.

Essentially just adding possibility for minus again.

this post was submitted on 07 May 2024
870 points (98.1% liked)

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