Question 193990: What numbers form the natural numbers?________________________________
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source):
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In mathematics, a natural number originally meant an element of the set {1, 2, 3, ...} (the positive integers). Currently in fields like mathematical logic, set theory, and computer science it is defined as an element of the set {0, 1, 2, 3, ...} (the non-negative integers). However, most sources define it the first way, that is, excluding zero. That's the way I learned it in Jr High School also, but then again that was almost 50 years ago.
So take your pick. What does your instructor/textbook say?
John

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