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Why Exactly Is Zero Factorial Equal To One?
Once you get this, you won’t need to take it for granted anymore!
It is common knowledge that zero factorial is equal to one. Everyone learns this in math class in middle school. However, when we delve into it further, most of us might realise that our understanding of this concept is rather shaky. The general challenge we have with mathematics is that we take things for granted. We often don’t wish to come across as stupid for asking ‘dumb’-sounding questions. If the teacher says 0! = 1, it is probably wise to just accept it and move on. Why question authority that has never been wrong before?
Well, why not? Why not ask WHY?! It doesn’t really have much to do with the teacher, but more to do with us. If we do not understand something fundamentally, we should not fear asking why, even if the question sounds stupid. In any case, this is no classroom, and I am no teacher. But I fully intend to delve deeper into this concept to explain why exactly is 0! = 1. I will be explaining why this is the case by solving easy, incremental puzzles that anyone can understand. If you read my article on why any number raised to the power zero = 1, then you should know that we are going to use a very similar approach here.
