| Math Fun Library |
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| Question : |
| What
are Unnatural Numbers ? |
Answer : |
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There is no such term called unnatural numbers, but there is a term called negative numbers. |
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The introduction of negative
numbers is due to the need for subtraction to be performable without restriction. In the case of positive numbers the
subtraction a - b = c can only be carried out if a is greater than b. If, on the other hand, a is smaller than b we define
c = -(b - a). |
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For example, 7 - 9 = (-2). Here the '-sign' on the left hand side of the equation represents an operation, and
on the right hand side it forms part of the number itself. |
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In the case of the positive numbers the associated sign + may be
omitted, but such is not the case with negative numbers. |
