Zero is an even number. In other words, zero's parity—the quality of
an integer being even or odd—is even. It fits the definition of "even"
as an integer multiple of 2, namely 0 × 2. As a result, zero has all
the properties of even numbers: 0 is divisible by 2, 0 is surrounded on
both sides by odd numbers, 0 is the sum of an integer (0) with itself,
and a set of 0 objects can be split into two equal sets (example
pictured). Zero is the additive identity element of the group of even
integers, and it is the starting case from which other even natural
numbers are recursively defined. Applications of this recursion from
graph theory to computational geometry rely on zero being even. Among
the general public, the parity of zero can be a source of confusion. In
reaction time experiments, most people are slower to identify 0 as even
than 2, 4, 6, or 8. Some students of mathematics—and some
teachers—think that zero is odd, or both even and odd, or neither.
Researchers in mathematics education propose that these misconceptions
can become learning opportunities. Studying equalities like 0 × 2 =
0 can address students' doubts about calling 0 a number and using it in
arithmetic.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parity_of_zero>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1475:
After an invasion by England and the Duchy of Burgundy, France
signed the Treaty of Picquigny with England, freeing Louis XI to deal
with the threat posed by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Picquigny>
1842:
The Treaty of Nanking, an unequal treaty ending the First Opium
War, was signed, forcing the Chinese Qing Dynasty to give control of the
island that is now the site of Hong Kong, and other concessions to the
British.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong>
1903:
The Russian battleship Slava, the last of the five Borodino-
class battleships, was launched.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_battleship_Slava>
1911:
The last member of the Yahi, known as Ishi (pictured), emerged
from the wilderness near Oroville, California, to join European American
society.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishi>
2007:
Six nuclear warheads were alleged to have been mistakenly
loaded onto a United States Air Force heavy bomber that flew from Minot
Air Force Base in North Dakota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_United_States_Air_Force_nuclear_weapons_incident>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
skyclad:
(Wicca) Naked outdoors.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/skyclad>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
I'm starting with the man in the mirror I'm asking him to change
his ways And no message could have been any clearer If you wanna make
the world a better place Take a look at yourself and then make a change.
--Michael Jackson
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson>