2006-09-18 14:42:09 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
greyfalco had it right, and I would steer clear of some of the other answers.
Integers {.....-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ......} they DO include zero. Both positive and negative numbers that you can count with. No fractions, no decimals.
Whole numbers {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ......} no negatives whatsoever. No fractions, no decimals.
They are NOT the same. There is a distinct difference and your teacher will want to know the difference. ;)
2006-09-18 15:46:47 · answer #1 · answered by CD & EC 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The website mathworld.wolfram.com is the most reliable source of information you could possibly wish for. It agrees that the INTEGERS are the numbers ... -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ... but it clearly states that WHOLE NUMBER, COUNTING NUMBER and NATURAL NUMBER have all been used inconsistently in the past to denote some or all of the INTEGERS. Whatever any of your other answerers have said WHOLE NUMBER means, they will be able to show a book to prove it, but obviously their books do not agree with each other, sorry.
2006-09-19 10:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by bh8153 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whole numbers, I believe, are positive. They start with one and move up.
An integer is obtainable by the addition or subtraction of whole numbers, expanding the set to include zero and negative.
Not that you would ever be able to apply this distinction.
2006-09-18 21:47:53 · answer #3 · answered by Mehoo 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not a thing. Integer is defined as "Any of the natural numbers (positive or negative) or zero". Whole number is defined as "Any of the natural numbers (positive or negative) or zero". So as you can see not much of a significant difference at all. (exceptions for know-it-all mathematics teachers not withstanding)
2006-09-18 21:48:41 · answer #4 · answered by greyfalcon2112 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Integer- Any number from negative infinity to positive infinity excluding zero and decimals/fractions.
Whole Number - Any number from positive one to positive infinity excluding decimals/fractions. There are NO NEGATIVE whole numbers!
2006-09-18 21:51:53 · answer #5 · answered by math geek 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i can some up the difference between intergers and whole numbers in one word SIGNS
Intergers can be negative or positive, but whole numbers can only be positive.
2006-09-19 01:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by Sherman81 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are we serious here?? There one and the same thing? Have you not looked in your school book yet?? Get to it!! God Bless you.
2006-09-18 21:51:06 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
nothing
2006-09-18 21:45:11 · answer #8 · answered by davidosterberg1 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋