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Re: Z, R, Q (was: German words for "number")
Posted:
Feb 22, 1999 11:44 AM
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In article <bpcF7JBr7.Axu@netcom.com>, bpc@netcom.com (Benjamin P. Carter) writes:
|> pmiller@*DIESPAMMERS*.lni.net (Paul Miller) explains why Z stands for the
|> integers:
|>
|> >the symbol Z for the integers comes directly from German die Zahlen.
|>
|> Similarly, R stands for the reals. This usage seems quite reasonable in
|> several languages.
|>
|> But why does Q stand for the field of rational numbers?
Because it's the _quotient_ field of the integers ?? That's
the explanation that I recall being given when I asked this
question 37 years ago ... Of course, that's quite some time
ago, so my memory may not be that reliable :-)
|> --
|> Ben Carter
--
Ed Hook | Copula eam, se non posit
MRJ Technology Solutions, Inc. | acceptera jocularum.
NAS, NASA Ames Research Center | I can barely speak for myself, much
Internet: hook@nas.nasa.gov | less for my employer
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