Single Idea 10861

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / e. Ordinal numbers]

Full Idea

With ordinary finite numbers ordinals and cardinals are in effect the same, but beyond infinity it is possible for two sets to have the same cardinality but different ordinals.

Gist of Idea

Beyond infinity cardinals and ordinals can come apart

Source

Brian Clegg (Infinity: Quest to Think the Unthinkable [2003], Ch.13)

Book Reference

Clegg,Brian: 'Infinity' [Robinson 2003], p.169