On Sat, 10 Jan 2009, David Hobby wrote:
> Back to what I was saying about Wikipedia, the > article there at > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_number > starts like this: > >> In mathematics, a natural number (also called counting number) can >> mean either an element of the set {1, 2, 3, ...} (the positive >> integers) or an element of the set {0, 1, 2, 3, ...} (the >> non-negative integers). The latter is especially preferred in >> mathematical logic, set theory, and computer science. > > I often teach upper division college Math courses that > are just at the cusp between the two definitions, and > make a point of stating the definition of the natural > numbers. (Whatever it says in the text, of course!) > > ---David > > Positive integers, Maru Positive, or nonnegative? That is the question.... Julia _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
