# start section numbering with 0 not 1 LaTex article class [duplicate]

In my thesis, my examiners need the section numbering to start with 0 and not from 1.

The structure is somewhat like

\documentclass[12pt]{report}

\begin{document}
\chapter{First}
\section{first section}

\subsection{subsection}

\end{document}


which gives me result as

Chapter 1

First

1.1 first section

1.1.1 subsection

Chapter 1

First

1.0 first section

1.0.1 subsection

I tried using

\setcounter{section}{-1}


before

\begin{document}


but no success.

## migrated from stackoverflow.comJan 25 '14 at 23:35

This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.

Every command \chapter{} resets your counter section behalf of it. Usually everybody wants to start new numbered sections with 1. You have to change it after the chapters title though. I hope that's explaning it detailed enough?

The following MWE will work for you:

\documentclass{report}
\begin{document}
\chapter{First}

\setcounter{section}{-1}
\section{first section}

\subsection{subsection}

\end{document}

• Adding \setcounter{section}{-1} before the first section in each chapter solved the problem. Thanks strpeter. – Vinit Jan 23 '14 at 9:09