Numërimi

Numërimi is the process of determining the quantity of a set of objects by assigning numbers to its elements in a sequential and repeatable way. In mathematics and daily life, counting establishes the size of a collection, supports arithmetic operations, and underpins measurements and comparisons. Counting can be performed with symbols, words, or fingers, and it relies on a stable sequence of natural numbers and a one-to-one correspondence between items and counts.

In Albanian, numër means number, and numërimi refers to the act of counting. The concept exists in all cultures, with terminology and practices varying by language and tradition. Counting is a foundational activity in education, commerce, science, and daily routines, used for tallying objects, estimating quantities, and organizing data.

Effective counting follows several core principles: one-to-one correspondence (each item is matched to one count), a stable counting sequence (a fixed order of counting words), and cardinality (the last number stated indicates the size of the set). Early counting often uses tangible objects or tally marks; more advanced counting employs written numerals and abstract symbols. Counting also involves different numeral bases, most commonly base-10 (decimal), but bases such as base-2 (binary) and base-16 (hexadecimal) are used in computing and mathematics.

Counting has a long historical trajectory, from ancient tally marks and primitive numerals to sophisticated Hindu-Arabic numeral systems. In education, it supports the development of number sense, arithmetic fluency, and mathematical literacy, and remains essential in fields ranging from accounting to data analysis.