whole number
The counting numbers together with zero: 0, 1, 2, 3, …
Precisely: The set W = {0, 1, 2, 3, …}: the natural numbers and 0, with no fractions, decimals or negatives.
How it works
Adding or multiplying two whole numbers always gives a whole number; taking away or dividing may not (3 − 5 and 3 ÷ 2 leave the whole numbers).
Examples
- 0 is a whole number but not a natural number, as NCERT's books count them.
- The number of students in a class is always a whole number.
- 3 − 5 = −2 is not a whole number, so the whole numbers are not closed under subtraction.
Do not confuse: Whole numbers start at 0; natural numbers start at 1; integers also include −1, −2, …
- Used in
- counting, number systems, place value
- Symbols
- W
- Related
- natural number, integer, zero
- From
- Class 9 Mathematics, Chapter 3: The World of Numbers
Sources
- Our chapter: class-9/mathematics/03
- OpenStax: Prealgebra 2e, 1.1 Introduction to Whole Numbers