Single Idea 8667

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / b. Types of number]

Full Idea

The set of 'integers' is all of the negative natural numbers, and zero, together with the positive natural numbers.

Gist of Idea

The 'integers' are the positive and negative natural numbers, plus zero

Source

Michèle Friend (Introducing the Philosophy of Mathematics [2007], 1.5)

Book Reference

Friend,Michèle: 'Introducing the Philosophy of Mathematics' [Acumen 2007], p.16


A Reaction

Zero always looks like a misfit at this party. Credit and debit explain positive and negative nicely, but what is the difference between having no money, and money being irrelevant? I can be 'broke', but can the North Pole be broke?