What are natural numbers?

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Detailed Solution

Natural numbers are the counting numbers used for counting and ordering, commonly written as 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. Natural numbers form the most basic number set that people learn first. You use them to count objects, list positions, and describe quantities in simple terms. In many school books, the set of natural numbers starts at 1.

Some higher math texts include 0 in the natural numbers, but this depends on the convention being followed. When in doubt in school-level work, assume natural numbers start at 1 unless your textbook states otherwise.

Key facts about natural numbers

Notation: Often written as N = {1, 2, 3, 4, …}.
Use: Counting items, ranking positions, labeling steps.
Properties: Closed under addition and multiplication; not closed under subtraction or division.
No fractions or negatives: Natural numbers do not include decimals, fractions, or negative values.

Examples in daily life