I find it interesting that you didn't send this entirely condisending superior reply to the list. Now why is that?
--- Matthew Weigel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Reid Nichol wrote: > > > I suggest at least looking into elementary number theory before > >making such statements again. > > You might want to look into same, especially if you think you've > already "looked into" number theory enough to discuss the subject. > > #1: he didn't say what a "number" was. We are talking about mathematics, NOT philosophy. > In "elementary number theory," "numbers" are usually the set of > positive integers, including or not including 0 depending on > circumstance. And you even use the usually. Perhaps you should check out the definition of divisibility and what a divisor is before you make such a comment. Even sticking to the positive integers if a divides b (written a|b) if and only if there is an integer d such that ad=b. Notice the work integer in there. Notice the word positive is NOT in there. So, -7 is a divisor of 7 because (-7)(-1)=7. We /must/ restrict the divisors to positive numbers. Which is what the original poster didn't do. Or didn't you notice that? And what does 0 (another special case) have to do with this conversation? > #2: these definitions are fluid - by some definitions, '1' *is* > prime, and by others it isn't. The question really depends on a > particular mathematical writer's view, because it really has no impact > on the interesting results of "elementary number theory." Really. Point to a reference. Because the wikipedia and mathworld agree with my definition. Not to mention all my professors and every text that I've come across. > #3: you are a lot more condescending than your demonstrated knowledge > warrants. Deja vu. > -- > Matthew Weigel > hacker > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Someone who puts "hacker" into there signature to describe themselves really shouldn't be making such comments. best regards, Reid Nichol "We're in a giant car heading into a brick wall at 100 miles/hr and everybody's arguing about where they want to sit." -David Suzuki Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
