Write the Smallest Natural Number. Can you write the Largest Natural Number?

Q. Write the Smallest Natural Number. Can You Write the Largest Natural Number?

Answer: Mathematics is a field where the processes of counting, relations, measuring etc have been practised for ages. The crucks of mathematics are formed by the number systems. The number systems include various types of numbers such as Natural Numbers, Real Numbers, Whole Numbers, Integers, Rational Numbers, Complex Numbers and beyond.

Therefore to understand mathematics, one must have a solid understanding of the basics of mathematics, in this case, number systems.

Natural Numbers

Natural numbers are all in all counting numbers which start from 1 and go on till infinity ‘∞’. Natural numbers have 2 very useful properties.

• Any two natural numbers multiplied by each other will always give a natural product.

          For example; 5 X 10 = 50

• Any two natural numbers added together will always give the sum of a natural number.

For example; 1 + 59 = 60

All-natural numbers come under whole numbers as well. Whole numbers have an addition of the number zero ‘0’ to the list of natural numbers. Therefore, all natural numbers are whole numbers but not all whole numbers are natural numbers. 

Solution: 1 is the smallest natural number. It is not possible to write the largest natural number since it goes up to infinity.

Real Numbers 

Real numbers comprise all the numbers which can be put on a number line. All those numbers whether rational, irrational, negative, positive, integral, natural or whole come under the category of real numbers. Therefore it can be said that integers are rational, irrational, natural and whole numbers are subsets of real numbers.

Integers

Integers are numbers which contain natural numbers, the additive inverses of natural numbers and also include zero. 

The property of integers states that the sum, multiplication and subtraction of an integer will always give an integer. However, this is not true for division. 

For example; 3 X (-3) = (-9)

The natural number 3 when multiplied by its additive inverse (-3) gives the product of (-9) which is also an integer.

Now since we’ve covered the basic prerequisites to number systems, the smallest natural number is 1. It is not possible to write the largest natural number since it goes up to infinity.