Why are negative numbers not considered whole number, yet are considered integers? And what is the difference between a whole number and an integer? I have only just started to learn the topic, but it helps me to understand why things are how they are. I can not learn when people teach things by answering similar questions with because thats the way it is. Everything has to have reason behind it, or else its just an opinion, and can never be proven as fact. Thank you

A integer is any number that is not either a decimal or a fraction (however, both 2.000 and 2/2 are integers because they can be simplified into non-decimal and non-fractional numbers), this includes negative numbers. A whole number is any positive number(0 through infinity) (including non-integers)

Since 0 is whole number would it be an integer?

That's right! All whole numbers are integers, so since 0 is a whole number, 0 is _also_ an integer.

why aren't decimals whole numbers?

Decimals aren't whole numbers because decimals are part of wholes.

so an integer is a negative whole number

No,integers include all numbers except decimals and fractions

What is a fraction if it is not an integer or a whole number? And what is a decimal?

Fractions and decimals are rational numbers, just like integers and whole numbers. Hope this helps!

Is an integer be written as a fraction? and can sum of two positives only be a negative answer or positive?

Hi! No, a fraction cannot be an integer. Integers include everything but fractions or decimals. The sum of 2 positives is always a positive number. Hope this helps!

Main content

6th grade

Course: 6th grade > Unit 6

Lesson 2: Whole numbers & integers

Whole numbers & integers

Whole numbers & integers

Google Classroom

Walk through the difference between whole numbers & integers. For example, is the number -8 a whole number? Is it an integer?

Want to join the conversation?

Sort by:

Jessica Foster
Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to Jessica Foster's post “why aren't decimals whole...”
why aren't decimals whole numbers?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Jessica Foster's post “why aren't decimals whole...”
(7 votes)
Answer
- Kate Kim
  Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to Kate Kim's post “Decimals aren't whole num...”
  Decimals aren't whole numbers because decimals are part of wholes.
  Comment on Kate Kim's post “Decimals aren't whole num...”
  (95 votes)
Megan
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to Megan's post “Why are negative numbers ...”
Why are negative numbers not considered whole number, yet are considered integers? And what is the difference between a whole number and an integer? I have only just started to learn the topic, but it helps me to understand why things are how they are. I can not learn when people teach things by answering similar questions with because thats the way it is. Everything has to have reason behind it, or else its just an opinion, and can never be proven as fact. Thank you
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Megan's post “Why are negative numbers ...”
(32 votes)
Answer
- 𝕽𝖞𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕭𝖎𝖈𝖐𝖑𝖊𝖞
  Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to 𝕽𝖞𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕭𝖎𝖈𝖐𝖑𝖊𝖞's post “A integer is any number t...”
  A integer is any number that is not either a decimal or a fraction (however, both 2.000 and 2/2 are integers because they can be simplified into non-decimal and non-fractional numbers), this includes negative numbers. A whole number is any positive number(0 through infinity) (including non-integers)
  Comment on 𝕽𝖞𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕭𝖎𝖈𝖐𝖑𝖊𝖞's post “A integer is any number t...”
  (19 votes)
StormflyAstridLightFury
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to StormflyAstridLightFury's post “Since 0 is whole number w...”
Since 0 is whole number would it be an integer?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on StormflyAstridLightFury's post “Since 0 is whole number w...”
(12 votes)
Answer
- Polina Vitić
  Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Polina Vitić's post “That's right! All whole n...”
  That's right! All whole numbers are integers, so since 0 is a whole number, 0 is also an integer.
  Comment on Polina Vitić's post “That's right! All whole n...”
  (18 votes)
Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee's post “so an integer is a negati...”
so an integer is a negative whole number
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(6 votes)
Answer
- Kevin
  Posted 4 years ago. Direct link to Kevin's post “No,integers include all n...”
  No,integers include all numbers except decimals and fractions
  Comment on Kevin's post “No,integers include all n...”
  (18 votes)
Zahra
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Zahra's post “What is a fraction if it ...”
What is a fraction if it is not an integer or a whole number? And what is a decimal?
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(3 votes)
Answer
- emmaly
  Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to emmaly's post “Fractions and decimals ar...”
  Fractions and decimals are rational numbers, just like integers and whole numbers.
  
  Hope this helps!
  Comment on emmaly's post “Fractions and decimals ar...”
  (7 votes)
kelake
Posted 21 days ago. Direct link to kelake's post “im HIM”
im HIM
Button navigates to signup pageComment on kelake's post “im HIM”
(4 votes)
Answer
mccollum.elijah
Posted 17 days ago. Direct link to mccollum.elijah's post “okI've always found math ...”
okI've always found math to be a fascinating subject. There's something about the way that numbers and equations interrelate that just clicks with me. I enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems, and I appreciate the way that math can be applied to so many different areas of life. Whether you're building bridges or designing computer algorithms, a solid foundation in math is essential. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about arriving at the correct answer after working through a tough problem. Do you enjoy math as well, or do you find it frustrating?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on mccollum.elijah's post “okI've always found math ...”
(4 votes)
Answer
The Goat teaches math
Posted a month ago. Direct link to The Goat teaches math's post “Comment or upvote if you ...”
Comment or upvote if you are David Severin
Button navigates to signup pageComment on The Goat teaches math's post “Comment or upvote if you ...”
(3 votes)
Answer
- ergenbrightfarris
  Posted 25 days ago. Direct link to ergenbrightfarris's post “Thats my name kid”
  Thats my name kid
  Button navigates to signup page
  (1 vote)
$khylao$
Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to $khylao$'s post “Is an integer be written ...”
Is an integer be written as a fraction?
and
can sum of two positives only be a negative answer or positive?
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Answer
- The Telepath
  Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to The Telepath's post “Hi! No, a fraction cannot...”
  Hi!
  No, a fraction cannot be an integer. Integers include everything but fractions or decimals. The sum of 2 positives is always a positive number.
  Hope this helps!
  Button navigates to signup page
  (2 votes)
AbelB
Posted 4 months ago. Direct link to AbelB's post “is 0 a hole number or int...”
is 0 a hole number or integer
Button navigates to signup pageComment on AbelB's post “is 0 a hole number or int...”
(2 votes)
Answer
- VAUGHN💩
  Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to VAUGHN💩's post “It is both”
  It is both
  Button navigates to signup page
  (2 votes)

6th grade

Course: 6th grade > Unit 6

Whole numbers & integers

Whole numbers

Integers

Classifying numbers

Challenge problem

Want to join the conversation?