Ah, I missed that (and the typo obviously). I usually ‘type’ by tracing my fingers across the keyboard on mobile. This method is 97% correct, 2% incorrect ,and 1% hilarious or embarrassing.
I need to do a better job proofreading and you could do a better job pointing out the typos (so even slow people like me can catch on).
Well, according to the dictionary and Wikipedia (which I both consulted before posting) the word number applies to both 11 and 1. Since that was not good enough for me I added the words cyphers and digits to bring the point across.
Please explain how you missed that / why you pretended to?
Huh? I didn’t miss it, that line is exactly why I’m even having this discussion with you
You have 10 numbers (or cyphers/digits)
I’ll say it again, because I think you missed it, numbers are not cyphers or digits, and the terms can’t be used interchangeably unless you can only count to 9. Since you brought it up, the first 3 lines on the numbers Wikipedia page:
A number is a mathematical object used to count, measure, and label. The original examples are the natural numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth.[1] Numbers can be represented in language with number words.
By its definition, there are infinite natural numbers, but all types of numbers are infinite in quantity. When you say “number”, you seem to be thinking of what Wikipedia calls “number words” or “numerals”, or the terms “digits” or “cyphers” that you brought up. Those last four terms are components of language, they can represent numbers, but in the context you provided (“You have 10 ____”), you really shouldn’t have used the word numbers.
TL;DR, digits are to numbers as letters are to words. There are 10 digits (in base 10), and 26 letters (in English). There are infinite numbers, and there might as well be infinite words
Interesting. That’s not what I get, especially when I read past that sentence in the article or consult other sources.
Commonly they can be used interchangeably whether you like it or not. Depending on audience you might need to differentiate. Given the context of the post and the thread we’re in I’m going to use common language.
What motivates your interest in this? Are you a native speaker?
Yeah, why do you ask out of curiosity? I guess my interest is because I’m a cs/math student so I’ve been dealing with number theory a lot the last few years.
Also I skimmed the rest of the article, and to me it looks like wikipedia editors have actually been very careful not to conflate numbers and numerals, so I’m not sure what you mean. In fact, under history>numerals it even says “Numbers should be distinguished from numerals”
Meme transcription: A man tapping his forehead. Top text: Infinite number of numbers. Bottom text: Only 26 letters.
You have 10 numbers (or cyphers/digits) and 26 letters (mileage varies by language). You can build infinite sequences with these.
It’s not that hard, is it?
Edit: stupid typo. It used to say I’d, not it’s. (Scribble typing, autocorrect and shit proofreading lead to funny things)
I’d actually that hard tbh
What? Combining letters to words and words to sentences?
Judging by their comment, yes.
If you read the comment that you wrote that i was replying to, you’ll see I was riffing on your typo
Ah, I missed that (and the typo obviously). I usually ‘type’ by tracing my fingers across the keyboard on mobile. This method is 97% correct, 2% incorrect ,and 1% hilarious or embarrassing.
I need to do a better job proofreading and you could do a better job pointing out the typos (so even slow people like me can catch on).
11 is a number
That consists of ….?
Digits
Thank you!
Not numbers. Numbers != Digits. In base 10, there are 10 digits, which can be used to represent infinite numbers, like 11
Well, according to the dictionary and Wikipedia (which I both consulted before posting) the word number applies to both 11 and 1. Since that was not good enough for me I added the words cyphers and digits to bring the point across.
Please explain how you missed that / why you pretended to?
Huh? I didn’t miss it, that line is exactly why I’m even having this discussion with you
I’ll say it again, because I think you missed it, numbers are not cyphers or digits, and the terms can’t be used interchangeably unless you can only count to 9. Since you brought it up, the first 3 lines on the numbers Wikipedia page:
By its definition, there are infinite natural numbers, but all types of numbers are infinite in quantity. When you say “number”, you seem to be thinking of what Wikipedia calls “number words” or “numerals”, or the terms “digits” or “cyphers” that you brought up. Those last four terms are components of language, they can represent numbers, but in the context you provided (“You have 10 ____”), you really shouldn’t have used the word numbers.
TL;DR, digits are to numbers as letters are to words. There are 10 digits (in base 10), and 26 letters (in English). There are infinite numbers, and there might as well be infinite words
Interesting. That’s not what I get, especially when I read past that sentence in the article or consult other sources.
Commonly they can be used interchangeably whether you like it or not. Depending on audience you might need to differentiate. Given the context of the post and the thread we’re in I’m going to use common language.
What motivates your interest in this? Are you a native speaker?
Yeah, why do you ask out of curiosity? I guess my interest is because I’m a cs/math student so I’ve been dealing with number theory a lot the last few years.
Also I skimmed the rest of the article, and to me it looks like wikipedia editors have actually been very careful not to conflate numbers and numerals, so I’m not sure what you mean. In fact, under history>numerals it even says “Numbers should be distinguished from numerals”
Dear Diary,
Today I saw the silliest internet argument.
The silliest argument so far…😀
Got 'em.