The correct hierarchy of number sets within the real number system, from largest to smallest, is:
rational numbers, integers, whole numbers, natural numbers
So the answer is:
- rational numbers, integers, whole numbers, natural numbers
Rational numbers include all integers, whole numbers, and natural numbers. Integers include all whole numbers and their negative counterparts. Whole numbers include all natural numbers plus zero. Natural numbers are just the positive counting numbers (1, 2, 3, ...).