 \mathbb{R} \)</span> contains the integers,
the rational numbers <span class="inline_math">\( \mathbb{Q} \)</span>,
as well as irrational numbers like <span class="inline_math">\( \sqrt{2}=1.4142135\ldots \)</span>.<span class="intersentencespace"></span> By using the reals you can compute pretty much anything you want.<span class="intersentencespace"></span> From here on in the text, when I say <em>number</em>,
I mean an element of the set of real numbers <span class="inline_math">\( \mathbb{R} \)</span>.