Thread: [SOLVED] Zero

Z is a group under + only. I think the use of the fact that additive groups require the identity element to justify the fact that 0 is an integer is perhaps a bit circular. 0 is an integer and is used in multiplication.

FYI, a frequent contributer to New Scientist magazine has written a well-reviewed book on the history and various applications of this long-debated subject. The original poster has undoubtedly received more than he asked for.

"Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea, by noted science writer Charles Seife, starts with the story of a modern battleship stopped dead in the water by a loose zero, then rewinds back to several hundred years BCE. Some empty-headed genius improved the traditional Eastern counting methods immeasurably by adding zero as a placeholder, which allowed the genesis of our still-used decimal system. It's all been uphill from there, but Seife is enthusiastic about his subject; his synthesis of math, history, and anthropology seduces the reader into a new fascination with the most troubling number."

Originally Posted by bernie

I can never remember if zero is an integer. Is it?
What is the definition of an integer?

We are working on integers. Why does 6-2-6?

i think 0 is an integer

i no im not helping but i wana post somefin

Originally Posted by mathmaster

i think 0 is an integer

i no im not helping but i wana post somefin

What do you mean you think!?!

This is not philosophy here, there is no such thing as "...I think that..." in math. By definition as explained before zero is the element of the set of integers.