What is a whole number?
Whole numbers are the counting numbers starting from zero: 0, 1, 2, 3 and so on. They do not include fractions, decimals or negative numbers.
Whole numbers are used for counting complete objects, such as 3 apples or 12 students. In many school definitions, whole numbers start at 0, while natural numbers, also called counting numbers, start at 1. Mathematicians sometimes use these terms differently, so it helps to check the definition being used.
Whole numbers can be even or odd, and they can be added or multiplied to give other whole numbers. Subtracting or dividing them does not always give a whole number, for example 3 − 5 = −2 and 7 ÷ 2 = 3.5.
Related number groups
Integers include all whole numbers and their negatives. Rational numbers include integers plus fractions. Real numbers include all rational and irrational numbers.
Whole numbers were the first numbers people used, for counting animals, goods and days. Tally marks scratched on ancient bones suggest humans were counting tens of thousands of years ago.
Did You Know?
There is no largest whole number. You can always add 1 to get a bigger one.