Talk: Integer
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What was described here before is entirely inaccurate - the whole numbers are the nonnegative integers, not the other way around, and are often not distinguished from the natural numbers.
I know this complicates things but is the "unique" in the first sentence not supposed to be "unique up to isomorphism"? -- Jan Hidders
What is here is not wrong, per se. it just is a bit mathematical if you are discussing the way that the word integer is used in the context of computers. In that context it is slightly different because it has to do with the type of hardware used for math, and the storage of the numbers in computer memory. integer is commonly used for either the numbers that can be stored in one word, or it is the number range for the 'natural' address space of the computer.
I thought that Z was commonly used for complex variables, and x was most commonly used for reals. If I'm missing something, just delete this please (I doubt that I'll remember to check back).
- The letter Z is commonly used for the set of all integers, the letter C is commonly used for the set of all complex numbers, and the letter R is commonly used for the set of all real numbers. n or k are commonly used for integer variables, z is commonly used for complex variables, and x is commonly used for real variables. --AxelBoldt
Is zero positive?
I think this is a matter of convention. Some mean ≥ 0, others > 0 when they use the word positive. I think that it is important to mention this somewhere, lest readers be confused when reading other things. Lupin 22:09, 7 Sep 2004 (UTC)
No. Zero cannot be positive, even partially. This is not merely a matter of convention. --OmegaMan
Strictly, yes, but Lupin is quiet correct in pointing out that some readers and writers are imprecise on that, and many (wrongly) interpret positive as meaning not negative. So it never hurts to spell it out, rather then allow them to continue being muddled... quota
Inconsistencies in mathematical terminology (which unfortunately exist) should not be confused with inconsistencies in mathematical definitions (which do not exist). The approach "Lupin" advocated was to spread those inconsistencies to mathematical definitions as well. --OmegaMan
Why is it "Z"?
Why is exactly the letter "Z" chosen?
Possible explanation: "Z" looks like "N"-tilted, which kind of shows a relationship between Z and N. But then "M" would be an even better letter, since it is almost N mirrored, which is exactly (the interpretation of) how Z is usually defined. Perhaps M was already taken, but I haven't seen any indication of that.
I was told it was because of the German word Zahl. --Georg Muntingh 10:23, 19 Sep 2004 (UTC)
