What is 4?

The Number 4

The number 4 is a natural number following 3 and preceding 5. It holds significance in various areas, from mathematics and science to culture and symbolism.

• Mathematics: Four is the square of 2 (2²), making it the smallest composite number and the first square number other than 1. It's also a <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/perfect%20square" >perfect square</a>. In geometry, four points that don't lie in a single plane define a tetrahedron, one of the five Platonic solids. In group theory, the Klein four-group is a significant example of a non-cyclic group.

• Science: In chemistry, four is the atomic number of <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/beryllium" >beryllium</a>. In genetics, DNA uses a four-letter alphabet (A, T, C, G) to encode genetic information. There are also four fundamental forces in physics: the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, electromagnetism, and gravity.

• Culture and Symbolism: Four is often associated with wholeness, stability, and foundations. Consider the four seasons, the four cardinal directions (North, South, East, West), and the four elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire - in some traditions). The term <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/four%20corners" >"four corners"</a> often signifies the entire world.

• Everyday Life: We see the number 4 frequently: chairs often have four legs, cars have four wheels, and many buildings are rectangular, having four sides. Games like chess and checkers are played on boards with dimensions that are multiples of four.