Whole Numbers
Maths: Edexcel A Level Pure Maths, topic 1.1.1
Whole Numbers
Algebra uses numbers and symbols to represent words and ideas. Let’s look at the numbers first.
Counting numbers
- The most basic numbers used in algebra are those we use to count objects: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, … and so on.
- These are called the counting numbers.
- The notation “…” is called an ellipsis, which is another way to show that the pattern continues endlessly.
- Counting numbers are also called natural numbers.
Whole numbers
- The discovery of the number zero was a big step in the history of mathematics.
- Including zero with the counting numbers gives a new set of numbers called the whole numbers.
Test yourself on Whole Numbers
Which of the following numbers is a natural number?