UK TeX FAQ -- question label zerochap

### Why are my sections numbered 0.1 ...?

This happens when your document is using the standard book or report class (or one similar), and you've got a `\``section` before your first `\``chapter`.

What happens is, that the class numbers sections as "<chapter no>.<section no>", and until the first chapter has appeared, the chapter number is 0.

If you're doing this, it's quite likely that the article class is for you; try it and see. Otherwise, give your sections a 'superior' chapter, or do away with section numbering by using `\``section*` instead. An alternative way of avoiding numbering is discussed in "unnumbered sections in the table of contents".

This question on the Web: http://www.tex.ac.uk/cgi-bin/texfaq2html?label=zerochap