What Is a Whole Number?
Last Updated Mar 25, 2020 2:21:07 AM ET

A whole number belongs to the set of integers that are equal to or greater than zero. For example, the set of numbers {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} contains all of the whole numbers.
Negative numbers and decimals are not considered whole numbers, although negative numbers are considered integers. The set for integers can be written as { ... -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, … }. A counting number is any whole number except for zero and is shown by the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, … }. The term "natural number" may refer to either the set of whole numbers or the set of counting numbers.
More From Reference

Responsible Retirement: What's the Maximum Amount You Can Contribute to a 401(k)?

10 Small Business Grants for Women Entrepreneurs

What Is the Federal Minimum Wage?

What Is the Financial Independence, Retire Early Movement — and Has the Pandemic Changed It?

4 Investing Lessons We Can Learn From Warren Buffett's Stock Portfolio

Here's How a Pre-IPO Investment Helps You Fund Startups