Mysterious zero

Question

Zero is never supposed to be a 'positive' integer in any mathematical context. Is it true?

According to the definition of an "integer", could it be considered in this way?

And then: if a problem asks for "positive integer solutions" do I have to take into account even zero? I don't think so.

Thank you

I think French mathematicians do it differently (when writing in French), but don't quote me on that. — Akiva Weinberger, May 22 '18 at 14:32
Some mathematicians use the term 'strictly positive' to denote $x>0$ . So it's possible not all authors agree on the term. Others go through great lengths to not use positive to mean including zero by saying things like 'non-negative' to mean $x \ge 0$ — N8tron, May 22 '18 at 14:34

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered May 22 '18 at 14:32

2

See wikipedia for many details.

Zero is neither positive nor negative.

One says "nonnegative integer" to include both the positives and zero.

Similarly, one says "nonpositive integer" to include both the negatives and zero.

answered May 22 '18 at 14:32

vadim123

1 Answers1