Describe the relationship between whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers.

Answer 1

Whole numbers are a subset of integers and integers are a subset of rational numbers.

Whole numbers consist of the set of natural numbers (or counting numbers) as well as zero (0). This means that whole numbers include numbers like 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. Whole numbers only represent positive values or zero and do not include any fractions or decimals.

Integers, on the other hand, include both positive and negative whole numbers as well as zero. The set of integers includes numbers like -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on. Integers are formed by adding negative counterparts to whole numbers and can represent values that are both positive and negative.

Rational numbers encompass integers along with any number that can be expressed as a fraction of two integers. Rational numbers include numbers like 1/2, 3/4, -5/6, 2, -3, and so on. Rational numbers can represent values that are positive, negative, or zero, and they can be expressed as fractions or decimals.

In summary, the relationship between whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers is that whole numbers are a subset of integers, and integers are a subset of rational numbers.