Alefnull

/ˈɑːlɛfˌnʌl/ noun

Definition

In mathematics, the smallest infinite cardinal number, representing the size of the set of all natural numbers.

Etymology

From alef/aleph (the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet) + null (from German, meaning zero). A term created by mathematician Georg Cantor in set theory.

Kelly Says

Alef-null blew mathematicians' minds when Cantor invented it—there are infinities of different sizes, and alef-null is just the smallest one, suggesting an entire universe of bigger infinities above it!

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