brooklyn gal for a while

real numbers

Recently I was in a conversation on the train about "real" numbers vs integers.
I thought real numbers were counting numbers and integers were whole numbers that could be positive or negative. TS thought the reverse. We both were unsure if "0" counted as either. Now, I've taken some math classes in my time and feel like I should be able to remember these kinds of things. (Although I really do only use math on a daily basis to calculate tip and if 25% off Miz Mooz shoes makes them affordable.)
Nerd that I am, I decided to figure out what those "real" numbers were and as I searched online I discovered that Crate and Barrel's spin store, cb2, sells Math shower curtains. ingenious!


for folks that care:
real numbers = any whole or fraction of positive or negative numbers, including zero, that is not imaginary (like then number e)

posted by gordian knot @ Tuesday, March 28, 2006