I think it’s clear you’ve never taught low level mathematics courses. There is a lot of hand waving and brain washing that happens. The vast majority of people don’t know what a number is in a precise, mathematical sense. At the level of the intended audience it would be wholly inappropriate talk about the definition of a number.
My background on this topic is that I’ve taught intermediate algebra for over 20 years.
My background on this topic is that I’ve taught intermediate algebra for over 20 years.