Changes

'''Real numbers''' are numbers that can be represented by some infinite or finite [[decimal]] representation, such as 0.707106781187...

'''Real numbers''' are numbers that can be represented by some infinite or finite [[decimal]] representation, such as 0.707106781187...

The term "real number" exists for historical reasons; it was once thought that such numbers "actually" existed (hence the word "real"), in contrast to the supposed non-existence of [[imaginary number]]s. However, advances in [[complex analysis]] in the 19th century revealed that imaginary numbers do, in fact, exist, and the terminology of "real" and "imaginary" is now understood to be just that--terminology.

The term "real number" is in contrast to the [[imaginary number]]s. In classical physics, measurements of real world physical objects that can vary smoothly and continuously, like [[speed]] or [[temperature]], are treated as real numbers.

 

In classical physics, measurements of things that can vary smoothly and continuously, like [[speed]] or [[temperature]], are treated as real numbers.

In a number line representation, the real numbers correspond to all the points on a geometric line. The distance between any two points on a line is a real number.

In a number line representation, the real numbers correspond to all the points on a geometric line. The distance between any two points on a line is a real number.