The numbers that are either whole numbers or the negatives of whole numbers are called integers.
Integers include all positive whole numbers (like 1, 2, 3), all negative whole numbers (like -1, -2, -3), and zero. They do not include fractions or decimals. The set of integers can be represented as follows: …3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3…
Understanding integers is fundamental in mathematics as they form the basis for many other concepts, such as number lines, simple algebra, and even basic operations like addition and subtraction. The inclusion of both negative and positive whole numbers allows for representation of loss and gain, which is applicable in various real-world scenarios.