The correct hierarchy of number sets within the real number system, from largest to smallest, is:
B. Rational numbers, integers, whole numbers, natural numbers
Here's a brief explanation of why this is the correct answer:
- Rational numbers include all integers, fractions, and finite or repeating decimals.
- Integers are a subset of rational numbers that include all positive and negative whole numbers, as well as zero.
- Whole numbers are a subset of integers that include all non-negative integers (0 and positive integers).
- Natural numbers are a subset of whole numbers that include all positive integers (1, 2, 3, ...).
So the hierarchy starts with rational numbers as the largest and narrows down to natural numbers as the smallest set.