N

The Set of Natural Numbers (the Positive Integers Z+ 1, 2, 3, ...; Sloane's A000027), denoted $\Bbb{N}$, also called the Whole Numbers. Like whole numbers, there is no general agreement on whether 0 should be included in the list of natural numbers.

Due to lack of standard terminology, the following terms are recommended in preference to ``Counting Number,'' ``natural number,'' and ``Whole Number.''

Set	Name	Symbol
..., $-2$, $-1$, 0, 1, 2, ...	integers	Z
1, 2, 3, 4, ...	positive integers	Z+
0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ...	nonnegative integers	Z*
$-1$, $-2$, $-3$, $-4$, ...	negative integers	Z-

See also C, Cardinal Number, Counting Number, I, Integer, Q, R, Whole Number, Z, Z+

References

Sloane, N. J. A. Sequence A000027/M0472 in ``An On-Line Version of the Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences.'' http://www.research.att.com/~njas/sequences/eisonline.html and Sloane, N. J. A. and Plouffe, S. The Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences. San Diego: Academic Press, 1995.