numbers [was Re: understanding probability]

[E K]

----- Original Message -----
> From: Lennart Sorensen <lsorense-1wCw9BSqJbv44Nm34jS7GywD8/FfD2ys at public.gmane.org>
> To: tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org
> Cc: 
> Sent: Friday, August 9, 2013 2:36:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [TLUG]: numbers [was Re: understanding probability]
> 
> On Fri, Aug 09, 2013 at 02:40:04PM -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
>>  It depends.  The word "number" means slightly different things to
>>  different people, usually with a large and useful overlap.
>> 
>>  Certainly to you (with a math degree) the word has a richer meaning
>>  than to the average person.
>> 
>>  Transfinite numbers include infinities.  That's kind of the standard
>>  model in math.  Not the only model.
>> 
>>  | pi is a specific value, as is e and i.  Sure they are irrational (or
>>  | complex in the case of i) but they are still specific numbers.
>> 
>>  The normal use of the English word "number" is unlikely to 
> include
>>  imaginary numbers.  If you include them, where do you draw the line?
>>  Are surreal numbers numbers?  Transfinite numbers?  Hypercomplex
>>  numbers (eg. quaternions)?
> 
> If I can do arithmetic with them, they are numbers.  That certainly
> includes i but not infinity.
> 
Can you do arithmetic with the alephs? What is the arithmetic with them?

EK
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