The accurate hierarchy of number sets within the real number system, from largest to smallest, is:
rational numbers, integers, whole numbers, natural numbers
So, the correct response is:
rational numbers, integers, whole numbers, natural numbers
This is because:
- Rational numbers include all fractions, integers, and some repeating or terminating decimals.
- Integers are a subset of rational numbers that include positive and negative whole numbers, as well as zero.
- Whole numbers are a subset of integers that include all non-negative integers (0 and natural numbers).
- Natural numbers are a subset of whole numbers that include all positive integers starting from 1.