Definition:Odd Integer/Historical Note
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Historical Note on Odd Integer
The concept of classifying numbers as odd or even appears to have originated with the Pythagoreans.
It was their belief that odd numbers (except $1$) are male, and even numbers are female.
A commentator on Plato used the term scalene number for an odd number, in correspondence with the concept of a scalene triangle. In a similar way an even number was described as isosceles.
Sources
- 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $3$
- 1992: George F. Simmons: Calculus Gems ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {A}.2$: Pythagoras (ca. $\text {580}$ – $\text {500}$ B.C.)
- 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $3$