A number is a mathematical object which we use for counting, measuring, and labeling. Most universally, individual numbers can be represented by symbols, called numerals (like 1, 2, 3, 4). Numbers can be grouped into various sets like rational, irrational, integers, natural and whole numbers. In this article, we look at definitions and operations with whole numbers.
Whole numbers definition
Whole numbers are the numbers from 0 onwards towards the right side in a number line. This would include 0,1,2,3,4…. without fractions or decimal numbers. It is a collection of positive integers and zero. It is represented as ‘W’.
Whole Numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10……
Every natural number is a whole number, and every whole number is a natural number except for zero.
Every whole number is an integer, but all integers are not whole numbers as integers include negative numbers also.
Every whole number is a rational number, but not all rational numbers are whole numbers.
Whole numbers on a number line
A number line contains positive and negative integers placed at regular intervals. All the numbers to the right of zero including zero are called whole numbers.
Operations with whole numbers
There are four fundamental operations in mathematics, that are- addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
1.Addition and subtraction:
Since whole numbers do not include negative numbers, they are added directly. No need to worry about the signs.
2.Multiplication and division:
When we have two whole numbers, we multiply their absolute values and the end result will always be a positive number.
3. Powers:
The power of a positive whole number is always a positive number. Zero to the power anything is zero. The number to be operated is called the base. The number in superscript is called the exponent.
For example, 35 = 243
What are the different types of numbers?
There are different types of numbers: natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, and real numbers.
Natural numbers(N)
All-natural numbers are called counting numbers. These numbers are always Positive integers like 1,2,3,4… The counting numbers, which can be counted, are infinite and are a crucial part of number systems in mathematics.
Whole numbers(W)
Whole numbers are the part of the number system in which it includes all positive integers from 0 to infinity. They exist in the number line. The complete set of natural numbers along with ‘O’ are called whole numbers.
Integers (Z)
An integer includes all negative and positive numbers including zero with no decimal or fractional part.
Rational numbers (Q)
In mathematics, a rational number is a number that can be expressed as a quotient or fraction of two integers.
Real numbers(R)
The real number is a value of a continuous quantity that can represent a distance along a line ( a quantity that can be represented as an infinite decimal expansion).
What is the smallest whole number?
The smallest whole number is zero (0).
Is every rational number a whole number?
No, not all rational numbers are whole numbers. Rational numbers would include negative integers plus whole numbers.
