Which list shows an accurate hierarchy of number sets within the real number system, from largest to smallest?

Question

a. natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers
b. rational numbers, integers, whole numbers, natural numbers
c. integers, rational numbers, natural numbers, whole numbers
d. irrational numbers, square roots, enlesss decimals, pi

Answer 1

The correct hierarchy of number sets within the real number system, from largest to smallest, is:

b. rational numbers, integers, whole numbers, natural numbers

This is because:

• Rational numbers include all integers, whole numbers, and fractions (both positive and negative).
• Integers include all whole numbers and their negative counterparts.
• Whole numbers include all natural numbers plus zero.
• Natural numbers are the counting numbers starting from 1 (or sometimes 0, depending on the definition used).

The other options do not represent the correct hierarchy of number sets.