what does this all mean?

List of Mathematical Symbols • R = real numbers, Z = integers, N=natural numbers, Q = rational numbers, P = irrational numbers.

1 answer

The list of mathematical symbols you provided refers to different sets of numbers commonly used in mathematics. Here’s what each symbol represents:

  • R: Represents the set of real numbers, which includes all the numbers on the number line. This set encompasses rational numbers (like 1/2, 3, -4) and irrational numbers (like √2, π).

  • Z: Represents the set of integers, which includes all whole numbers, both positive and negative, as well as zero. So, Z = {..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...}.

  • N: Stands for the set of natural numbers, which typically includes all positive integers starting from 1 (1, 2, 3, ...). Some definitions include zero in the natural numbers, leading to the set being {0, 1, 2, 3, ...}.

  • Q: Denotes the set of rational numbers, which are numbers that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers, where the denominator is not zero. For example, 1/2 and 3 (which can be written as 3/1) are rational numbers.

  • P: Represents the set of irrational numbers, which are numbers that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction of two integers. Examples include π (pi) and e (the base of the natural logarithm), as well as the square roots of non-perfect squares (like √2).

Overall, these sets categorize numbers based on their properties and allow mathematicians to work with them in a structured way.