Whole-Numbers Definition

The whole number is a part of the Number system, and it covers all the numbers from zero to infinity. All these numbers are available on the number line. Therefore, they are also termed Real numbers. It also must be concluded as all whole numbers are considered real numbers, but vice versa is not true in this case. It can also be said to be the set of natural numbers and zero.

Similarly, integers are also defined as a set of whole numbers and negative natural numbers. Integers count both negative and positive numbers and include zero. Real numbers contain all sets: fractions, natural numbers, integers, and whole numbers.

Examples of whole numbers include 0, 11, 25, 999……

Definition

Those numbers are not in the p/q form or fractions, and it is a set of positive numbers that includes zero. The whole number is denoted by the letter "W." Since Zero is also part of the whole number system, it denotes a null or nothing value.

Counting Numbers:

Natural Numbers

N =

Integers

Z =

Whole Number

W = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, ….}

It all contains the positive value and includes zero also. It does not contain decimal and fractional values.

Properties of the Whole number

The properties of the whole number have been concluded from arithmetic operations like Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division.

Addition

When two whole numbers are added or multiplied, the whole number is the result.

Subtraction

Deduction or subtraction of two whole numbers may not result in the whole number. The outcome could be an integer too.

Divisibility

The division of the whole number may result in getting a decimal or fractional value.

We would see more properties of the whole and will become clear with the proofs and examples.

Closure Property

It means it can be closed under multiplication and addition. Suppose x and y are two whole numbers; then x + y or x.y will also be a whole number.

Example

Suppose 6 and 8 are the whole number

6 + 8 = 14; 14 is a whole number

6 x 8 = 48: it is a whole number.

Commutative Property of Addition and Multiplication

The product and Sum of two whole numbers will be coming out to be the same irrespective order in which they have multiplied or added.

Consider x and y to be two whole numbers, then x.y = y.x and x + y = y + x

For example

Consider 10 and 3 to be the whole number

10 + 3 = 13

3 + 10 = 13

Therefore

10 + 3 = 3 + 10

Similarly,

3 x 7 = 21

7 x 3 = 21

Therefore,

3 x 7 = 7 x 3

So, we can say that whole numbers are commutative under multiplication and addition.

Additive Identity

The value remains constant when a 0 is added to the whole number. Consider the x to be a whole number, then x + 0 = 0 + x = x

Example

Suppose 0 and 5 are the two whole number

0 + 5 = 5

5 + 0 = 5

0 + 5 = 5 + 0

So, we can conclude that 0 is the additive identity of the whole number.

Multiplicative Identity

The outcome remains the same when a whole number is multiplied by 1. Suppose the whole number is to be x, then 1. x = x.1

Example

Suppose two whole numbers, 1 and 13

1 x 13 = 13

13 x 1 = 13

So,

1 x 13 = 13 x 1

One = Multiplicative identity of whole numbers.

Associative Property

When the whole number is multiplied or added as a set, it can be constituted into any order, and the outcome will remain unchanged. Suppose the x, y, and z be the whole number, therefore: x + (y + z) = (x + y) + z and (x. y) .z = x. (y. z)

Example

Let 5, 6, and 7 be the whole number,

5 + (6 + 7) = 13 + 5 = 18

(5 + 6) + 7 = 11 + 7 = 18

Therefore,

5 + (6 +7) = (5 + 6) + 7………… (1)

5 x (6 x 7) = 5 x 42 = 210

(5 x 6) x 7 = 30 x 7 = 210

Therefore,

5 x (6 x 7) = (5 x 6) x 7 ……………(2)

So, from equations (1) and (2), we can conclude that the associative property under multiplication and addition is true.

Distributive Property

If a, b, and c is to be three whole number, the distributive property of multiplication over addition is a. (b + c) = (a.b) + (a. c). In the same way, a. (b - c) = (a. b) - (a. c)

Example

let 2, 3, and 4 be the whole number

2 x (3 + 4) = 2 (7) = 14

(2 x 3) + (2 x 4) = 6 + 8 = 14

Therefore,

2 x (3 + 4) = (2 x 3) + (2 x 4) …………… (1)

Let us assume that 6, 8, and 4 be the three whole number

6 x (8 - 4) = 6 x 4 = 24

(6 x 8) - (6 x 4) = 48 - 24 = 24

Therefore,

6 x (8 - 4) = (6 x 8) - (6 x 4) …………… (2)

From equations (1) and (2), the distributive property of the whole number is verified.

Multiplication by zero

When a whole number is multiplied by zero, the outcome is always zero. Let's assume that a be the whole number.

Then, a x 0 = 0.

Example,

0 x 17 = 0

13 x 0 = 0

14 x 17 x 0 = 0.

Therefore, the law is verified.

Divisibility by Zero

When a whole number is divided by Zero, the result is either infinity or zero. For example, a is the whole number, and the result is not defined when divided by zero.

Dissimilarities between Natural numbers and the whole number

Natural Number

Natural numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, …
The count begins from 1
All natural numbers are considered to be the whole numbers

Whole Number

Whole number: (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, …)
The count begins from 0
All whole numbers are not considered to be natural numbers

Fun facts

Every whole number contains a predecessor except zero.
There is no largest whole number

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is there any negative whole number in the number system?

Ans: The whole number cannot be negative. According to the definition, the whole number begins from 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ….

Question: Using distributive property, solve 10 (2 + 3).

Answer:

Distributive Property: a x (b + c) = (a x b) + (a x c)

10 x (2 + 3) = 10 x 5 = 50

(10 x 2) + (10 x 3) = (20) + (30) = 50

10 x (2 + 3) = (10 x 2) + (10 x 3)

50 = 50

Question: Which number is not considered to be a whole number?

Answer: Rational numbers, fractions, and decimals are not considered whole numbers. For example, 4.5, 6/7, 4.55555, and pi are not considered whole numbers.

Question: Sum these 23, 45, and 67 in three different methods and also name the property that has been used.

Ans:

Method 1.

23 + (45 + 67) = 135

Method II.

(45 + 67) + 23 = 135

Method III.

(23 + 67) + 45 = 135.

The property that has been used here is the associative property.

Question: Under what circumstances the product of two whole numbers can become zero?

Ans: The product of two numbers can become zero when one of the numbers is zero. We know that for any number multiplied by zero, the result is always zero.