Quote:
Originally Posted by sterlingnotes
Call it whatever you want, but I don't have to give a name to my unit. The unit of measure is 4. If I say I want 4, it is understood without me telling you what type of unit it is.
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Or implied units that the number is representing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sterlingnotes
According to Merrium Webster a number is: a unit belonging to an abstract mathematical system and subject to specified laws of succession, addition, and multiplication
So by that definition the number IS the unit.
There is no apple, only the unit. You just choose to visualize the apple to represent the unit which is 4.
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And dictionary.com says this
Quote:
num·ber Audio Help /ˈnʌmbər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[nuhm-ber] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a numeral or group of numerals.
2. the sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like: A number of people were hurt in the accident. The number of homeless children in the city has risen alarmingly.
3. a word or symbol, or a combination of words or symbols, used in counting or in noting a total.
4. the particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series: house number; license number.
5. one of a series of things distinguished by or marked with numerals.
6. a certain collection, company, or quantity not precisely reckoned, but usually considerable or large: I've gone there a number of times.
7. the full count of a collection or company.
8. a collection or company.
9. a quantity of individuals: Their number was more than 20,000.
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So by that definition,a number ISN'T a unit. It can be symbolized a numeral, but it is not a unit itself.