Definition
Whole number
A whole number is 0 or a counting number: 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on.
Continue from this idea into connected AXIO math.
Boundary check: Zero is included; negatives and nonzero fractional values are excluded.
What it means
Use whole numbers for complete counts: 0 books, 14 stars, or 2,006 steps. A whole number does not name part of one item, and it does not sit below zero.
Remember it
Whole means no pieces: 0, 1, 2, 3, and on, with nothing fractional.
Example
A game starts with 0 stars. After two rounds, Leo has 18 stars. Both 0 and 18 are whole numbers. The values 18½ and −2 are not whole numbers.
Watch for
Zero belongs to the whole numbers. Negative numbers and values with a non-zero fractional part do not.
Common mix-up
Counting numbers usually start at 1; whole numbers include 0 as well.
Exact meaning
The whole numbers are zero and the positive counting numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on. They are not negative and have no non-zero fractional part.