The set of natural numbers (the positive integers Z-+ 1, 2, 3, ...; OEIS A000027), denoted , 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 |
| ..., , , 0, 1, 2, ... | integers | Z |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, ... | positive integers | Z-+ |
| 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ... | nonnegative integers | Z-* |
| 0, , , , , ... | nonpositive integers | |
| , , , , ... | negative integers | Z-- |
See also
C, Cardinal Number, Counting Number, Integer, Q, R, Whole Number, Z, Z-+
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References
Sloane, N. J. A. Sequence A000027/M0472 in "The On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences."
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Cite this as:
Weisstein, Eric W. "N." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/N.html