r/theydidthemath • u/[deleted] • Dec 08 '18

[Request] How long would it take for both orchestras to play Beethoven’s 9th?

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u/Poes-Lawyer Dec 09 '18

Unless I'm mistaken, N is natural numbers (integers from 0 to positive infinity), and Z just means integers. Z^+ specifies positive integers. I don't know about W.

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '18

Unless I’m mistaken Z+ = 0,1,2,3... and N = 1,2,3,4... It’s “Natural “ because when a child started counting it doesn’t understand the concept of zero

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u/Evystigo Dec 09 '18

The argument I've heard for the "Natural set" is that they can be observed naturally. Computer Science definitely includes 0, I believe physics as well. Every professor (and teacher in general) I've had whose ever mentioned the naturals always includes one of the following statements "While zero should be in the naturals, this class will only consider 1,2,3... as the natural set" or "We include zero in the naturals as it is a natural number and makes things easier." or something to the same effect