Difference between revisions of "Negative number"
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A '''negative number''' is a [[number]] less than [[zero]]. | A '''negative number''' is a [[number]] less than [[zero]]. | ||
| + | There is a philosophical issue as to the existence and meaning of the concept of a negative number. Western mathematicians resisted the concept of negative numbers until the 1600s or so. Ancient Greeks thought that a negative solution to a problem indicated that the problem is absurd. | ||
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| + | Negative numbers are justified by some based on a symmetry with positive numbers. | ||
[[Category:Mathematics]] | [[Category:Mathematics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:53, April 15, 2017
A negative number is a number less than zero.
There is a philosophical issue as to the existence and meaning of the concept of a negative number. Western mathematicians resisted the concept of negative numbers until the 1600s or so. Ancient Greeks thought that a negative solution to a problem indicated that the problem is absurd.
Negative numbers are justified by some based on a symmetry with positive numbers.