Number Concept Quotes

Number is different from quantity. This difference is basic for any sort of theorizing in behavioral science, any sort of imagining of what goes on between organisms or inside organisms as part of their processes of thought.

How can you own numbers? Numbers belong to the world.

I don't look my age, I don't feel my age and I don't act my age. To me age is just a number.

The name was supposed to be 'Googol,' which is the mathematical term for a 1 followed by 100 zeroes. It was before the Google spellchecker existed.

For mathematics, even to the logical forms in which it moves, is entirely dependent on the concept of natural number.

The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.

The concept of number is the obvious distinction between the beast and man.

It is not of the essence of mathematics to be conversant with the ideas of number and quantity.

"Nought usually comes at the beginning," Ralph said. "Not necessarily," said Sibyl. "It might come anywhere. Nought isn't a number at all. It's the opposite of number." Nancy looked up from the cards. "Got you, aunt," she said. "What about ten? Nought's a number there - it's part of ten." "Well, if you say that any mathematical arrangement of one and nought really makes ten - " Sibyl smiled. "Can it possibly be more than a way of representing ten?"

We think of the number "five" as applying to appropriate groups of any entities whatsoever - to five fishes, five children, five apples, five days... We are merely thinking of those relationships between those two groups which are entirely independent of the individual essences of any of the members of either group. This is a very remarkable feat of abstraction; and it must have taken ages for the human race to rise to it