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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

skyclad: (Wicca) Naked outdoors. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/skyclad

___________________________ 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