The Natural Numbers N = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12...} are numberswholepositive (non-negatives) which are grouped into a set called the No, composed of an unlimited number of elements. If a number is integer and positive, we can say it is a natural number.
When zero is not part of the set, it is represented with an asterisk next to the letter N, and in this case, this set is called the Set of Non-Null Natural Numbers: N* = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...}.
- SetFromNumbersNaturalPairs = {0, 2, 4, 6, 8...}
- SetFromNumbersNaturalodd = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9...}
The set of natural numbers is infinite. All have a predecessor (previous number) and a successor (later number), except the number zero (0). Thus:
- the predecessor of 1 is 0 and its successor is 2;
- the predecessor of 2 is 1 and its successor is 3;
- the predecessor of 3 is 2 and its successor is 4;
- the predecessor of 4 is 3 and its successor is 5.
Each element is equal to the preceding number plus one, except for zero. Thus, we can note that:
- the number 1 is the same as the previous one (0) + 1 = 1;
- the number 2 is the same as above (1) + 1 = 2;
- the number 3 is the same as above (2) + 1 = 3;
- the number 4 is the same as above (3) + 1 = 4.
The function of natural numbers is to count and order. In this sense, it is worth remembering that men, before inventing numbers, had great difficulty in counting and ordering things.
According to history, this need began with the difficulty presented by the shepherds of the flocks in counting their sheep.
Thus, some ancient peoples, from the Egyptians to the Babylonians, used different methods, from accumulating stones or marking the sheep.
Continuesyourresearch!Read:
- Numbers: what they are, history and sets
- Numerical sets
- Integers
- real numbers
- Rational Numbers
- irrational numbers
- Prime numbers
- Multiples and Dividers
- Severability Criteria
- Decimal Numbering System
- Numerical Set Exercises
