What Is an Integer?
An integer is a whole number that can be positive, negative, or zero. It is any number that does not have a fractional or decimal part. The set of integers is often represented by the symbol Z.
Section 2: The Set of Integers
The set of integers includes all positive whole numbers (1, 2, 3, ...), their negative counterparts (-1, -2, -3, ...), and the number zero. You can visualize integers as distinct points on a number line, extending infinitely in both the positive and negative directions.
Section 3: Examples of Integers
Examples of integers include -57, -10, 0, 3, 42, and 198. Numbers that are not integers include fractions like 1/2, decimals like 3.14, and mixed numbers like 7¾, because they are not whole numbers.
Section 4: Why Are Integers Important?
Integers are fundamental in mathematics and everyday life. They are used to represent quantities that can be counted as whole units and to describe concepts that have an opposite, such as temperatures above or below zero, financial credits or debits, and elevations above or below sea level.