natural number mathematics Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/natural-number Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/natural-number Also known as: counting number, nonnegative integer, positive integer, whole number Written by Michael McDonough Michael McDonough was a media team intern at Encyclopaedia Britannica. He is expected to graduate in 2023 from Northwestern University. Michael McDonough Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 16, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Also called: counting number, whole number, positive integer, or nonnegative integer (Show more) natural number, any number in the set of positive integers {1, 2, 3…} and sometimes zero. The term natural likely refers to humanity’s innate understanding and use of positive discrete values. Sometimes called “counting numbers,” natural numbers predate recorded history, as it is believed that prehistoric humans had some sense of determining differences in quantities. Whether zero is considered a natural number differs across definitions, and there is no general consensus on its inclusion or exclusion from the set. Mathematicians have formulated various definitions for natural numbers. One of the most popular is based on the principles of set theory, ...(100 of 771 words)

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