Natural numbers are the counting numbers. These are the numbers that we learn in kindergarten. That is why they are termed natural numbers; they have to do with counting or ranking of objects (first, second, third). The natural numbers are those we are first introduced to in counting. We also call them whole numbers. The natural numbers are infinite. Counting starts at one and continues to infinity.

Natural numbers have a very long history. They are used in counting things. When ancient man began to trade, a way to tally the items was needed. Both the written language and the writing of numbers, counting inventory, were invented. Babylonians developed a written form of the numbers 1 through 10. Ancient Egyptians had hieroglyphics for numbers up to one million. An archeological find from Karnack shows the number 276. The stone is from 1500 B.C.E. and shows place value for the hundreds, tens, and ones place.

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