Counting is the mathematical action of repeatedly 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 an injective function from the remaining objects to the natural numbers starting from two), or for well-ordered objects, to find the ordinal number of a particular object, or to find the object with a particular ordinal number. Counting is also used (primarily by children) to demonstrate knowledge of the number names and the number system. In mathematics the term counting or enumeration also means finding the number of elements of a finite set.)

Counting using tally marks.

Counting sometimes involves numbers other than one; for example, when counting money, counting out change, when "counting by twos" (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12…) or when "counting by fives" (5, 10, 15, 20, 25…).

There is archeological evidence suggesting that humans have been counting for at least 50,000 years[1]. Counting was primarily used by ancient cultures to keep track of economic data such as debts and capital (i.e., accountancy). The development of counting led to the development of mathematical notation and numeral systems.

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