The well ordering principle states that every set of positive integers that is not empty contains a least element. A least element is simply the smallest number in the set. The term 'least element' should not be confused with the term 'minimal element.' A minimal element is one that is not larger than any of the other elements in the set.
One some occasions, the well ordering principle means that the set of integers (....-2, -1, 0, 1, 2.....) contains the natural numbers in which every non empty subset contains a least element.
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Math joke of the day:
Q: What keeps a square for moving?
A: Square Roots
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