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    The document argues that natural numbers should start with 2 instead of 1, as counting only begins when there is more than one item. It claims that anything larger than 1 can be represented by n, and that 3 actually represents infinity since it is written as two 3s stacked on top of each other. The author hopes this explanation will resolve debates about whether 0 is a natural number, but acknowledges their view is unlikely to be accepted.

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    Scientific Humour

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    Natural Numbers

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    The document argues that natural numbers should start with 2 instead of 1, as counting only begins when there is more than one item. It claims that anything larger than 1 can be represented by n, and that 3 actually represents infinity since it is written as two 3s stacked on top of each other. The author hopes this explanation will resolve debates about whether 0 is a natural number, but acknowledges their view is unlikely to be accepted.

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    9 views1 page

    Natural Numbers Start With 2

    Uploaded by

    scribd8885708
    The document argues that natural numbers should start with 2 instead of 1, as counting only begins when there is more than one item. It claims that anything larger than 1 can be represented by n, and that 3 actually represents infinity since it is written as two 3s stacked on top of each other. The author hopes this explanation will resolve debates about whether 0 is a natural number, but acknowledges their view is unlikely to be accepted.

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    http://shell.cas.usf.edu/~wclark/natural_numbers.html

    From: Jan Willem Nienhuys (wsadjw@rw7.urc.tue.nl)


    Subject: Natural numbers start with 2.
    Newsgroups: sci.math
    Date: 1993-04-14 06:44:33 PST
    The natural numbers start with 2 (TWO). The name "counting numbers" make that clear. If there's only
    one item of a certain kind, one doesn't start counting.
    Moreover, for most mathematicians, counting stops at two as well, as anything larger than 1 is denoted
    by `n', which is synonymous with `many, I don't care how many'.
    Consequently, 3 must be supposed to be infinity. The symbol for infinity is two 3's on top of each
    other. This explains the mystery of Trinity.
    I hope this simple solution will stop the silly discussions about 0 being a natural number. My hope will be
    in vain, I know.
    JWN

    21/04/2015 15:07

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