[bcuccioli]

The irony of this article is that the author is trying to sneer at someone for making a mathematical mistake, which is not technically wrong, but himself falsely asserts that "The use of the phrase 'even number, or the number zero' implies that zero is not even", which is not true in the usual first order logic.

[tsotha]

>...but himself falsely asserts that "The use of the phrase 'even number, or the number zero' implies that zero is not even", which is not true in the usual first order logic.

But in English it really does imply zero is not even. As a percentage of the population, just how many mathematicians do you think there are?

[anonymouz]

Without further clarifications it is at best ambiguous in English: Sometimes the "or" is meant to allow both options, sometimes not.

When mathematicians talk in English they usually (by convention) mean the "or" of first order logic (i.e., inclusive or). Since they happen to be the ones talking about even/odd numbers and they are a group of people that do require a language specific enough to have to specify whether the "or" is inclusive or exclusive, it seems like a good idea that such a statement should be taken in this framework.

[zem]

but "or" in english is not identical to "or" in first order logic. they're different domains that just happen to use the same symbol.

[anonymfus]

Yes. In English "even number, or the number zero" technically can also mean that terms "even number" and "zero" have same meanings, i. e. "even number aka the number zero".

[zem]

which is clearly yet another, different use of "or". i don't know why people are quibbling about this point, the usage the article cites pretty unambiguously means "all the even numbers, and zero even if you don't consider it an even number"

[shmageggy]

but himself falsely asserts that...

The author is female.