Re:How the number zero was ‘discovered’
by thaumasiotes on Thursday December 08, 2016 @08:41PM
(#13135988)
Only the imaginary numbers are named as a slur on the concept.
The quantity zero is empty, so the name is clearly appropriate.
negare is "deny" in classical Latin, but the term "negative number" is much more recent than any form of Latin, and refers to the "taking away" sense of "negative", just as in "negative reinforcement". Negative numbers are related to subtraction.
Supernatural numbers are an extension of the natural numbers. The terminology is pretty straightforward. Also, the word "supernatural" is generally complimentary, not derogatory. Similarly, surreal numbers extend, and are named in reference to, the real numbers.
Irrational numbers can't be expressed as ratios (of integers). It's not the term's fault if you confuse it with another word.
The quantity zero is empty, so the name is clearly appropriate.
negare is "deny" in classical Latin, but the term "negative number" is much more recent than any form of Latin, and refers to the "taking away" sense of "negative", just as in "negative reinforcement". Negative numbers are related to subtraction.
Supernatural numbers are an extension of the natural numbers. The terminology is pretty straightforward. Also, the word "supernatural" is generally complimentary, not derogatory. Similarly, surreal numbers extend, and are named in reference to, the real numbers.
Irrational numbers can't be expressed as ratios (of integers). It's not the term's fault if you confuse it with another word.