POSITIVE NUMBERS Meaning and
Definition
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Positive numbers are mathematical entities that represent quantities greater than zero. They are numbers that are greater than zero on the number line, hence they have a positive sign (+). These numbers are used extensively in various fields of mathematics, such as arithmetic, algebra, and calculus, as well as in everyday life to represent quantities such as time, distance, and temperature.
In particular, positive numbers can be rational or irrational. Rational numbers are those that can be expressed as a fraction or ratio of two integers, such as 1/2 or 3/4. On the other hand, irrational numbers are those that cannot be expressed as a fraction and have non-repeating decimal expansions, such as √2 or π.
Positive numbers play a crucial role in various mathematical operations and properties such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They are closed under addition and multiplication, meaning that adding or multiplying positive numbers will always result in another positive number. Furthermore, positive numbers have special properties when combined with zero or negative numbers, allowing for the understanding and exploration of concepts like absolute value, inequalities, and number comparisons.
Overall, positive numbers are an essential component of the number system and serve as the foundation for countless mathematical concepts and applications.
Etymology of POSITIVE NUMBERS
The word "positive" originated from the Latin word "positivus", which is derived from the verb "ponere", meaning "to place" or "to put". In mathematics, positive numbers are called so because they represent quantities that are "put forward" or "added" to another number. Therefore, the term "positive numbers" refers to those numerical values which denote quantities greater than zero.
