Elementary math, beautiful math: Numbers, part 1

Peter Flom
Sep 9, 2018 · 2 min read

So, Peter, age 3, is learning to count. 1, 2, 3 …. how cool! And soon enough he learns that there is a system to the number naming (although he’s not quite clear on why “eleven” isn’t “one-teen” and why “twenty” isn’t “twoty”). And he’s pleased. He knows all about numbers!

The numbers he has learned so far are called the natural or counting numbers; or, if you like fancier names, the positive integers.

Then someone asks him “if you have 2 candies and someone gives you 3 more, how many do you have?” (that’s addition). and…

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Peter Flom

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Freelance statistician (www.statisticalanalysisconsulting.com). Learning disabled adult (www.IAmLearningDisabled.com). 2E. Father. Active on Quora. Liberal.

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