Counting is the mathematical action of adding (or subtracting) one, usually to find out how many objects there are or to set aside a desired number of objects (starting with one for the first object and proceeding with a one-to-one correspondence); however, counting is also used (primarily by children) to demonstrate knowledge of the number system. Counting sometimes involves numbers other than one (for example: when counting money or when "counting by fives" -- 5,10,15,20,25...); but, relatively simple numbers (most always integers) are still used.

There is archelogical evidence that humans have been counting for at least 50,000 years [1 - p.9]; the development of counting led to the development of mathematical notation and numeral systems. Counting was primarily used by ancient cultures to keep track of economic data such as debts and capital.

See also

• combinatorics
• subitizing and counting
• tally mark
• unary numeral system
• elementary arithmetic

References

1. An Introduction to the History of Mathematics (6th Edition) by Howard Eves (1990)