How to Define an Integer
When working with mathematics it's very important that you understand the different kinds of numbers that exist. For example, if the instructions for some particular problem include reference to an integer and you don't know what an integer is, you're likely to have trouble answering the problem correctly. But to define an integer, we need to first understand some other definitions.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Understand the definition of whole numbers. Since the definition of an integer uses the term whole numbers, we need to know what whole numbers are. Think of the meaning of the word "whole" in everyday usage. A whole pie, a whole day, or a whole deck of cards all imply that no pieces or partials are involved. Whole numbers are those that don't include fractions or decimals. The whole numbers start with the number 0 and continue on with 1, 2, 3, 4, . . .Negative numbers are not included in the whole numbers.
-
2
Look at some examples of numbers that are not whole numbers to help make sure that you understand exactly which numbers are whole and which are not. Remember, a whole number does not contain a fraction or decimal. Some examples of numbers that are not whole are 5.6, 3/4, and 9⅜.
-
-
3
Understand what the opposite, or negative, of a number means. In mathematics the terms opposite and negative are used interchangeably and refer to the sign of a number. If a number is positive, then its opposite will be negative. Likewise, the opposite of a negative number is positive. Some examples: the opposite of the number 5 is -5, the opposite of the number 29 is -29, the opposite of -13 is 13 and the opposite of -3/4 is 3/4.
-
4
Define an integer. Now we understand the definitions needed to be able to define an integer. The integers are made of all the whole numbers and their opposites. So if a number is either a whole number or the opposite of a whole number, then it's an integer. In mathematical notation we indicate all the integers like this: . . . -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . The " . . ." notation means that the numbers continue on without end, both in the negative and positive direction in this case.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Since the whole numbers start with 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . and the integers are all these numbers plus their opposites, you may be wondering about the opposite of the number 0. This number is a bit unique in that it serves as its own opposite. In other words, the opposite, or negative, of the number 0 is 0 itself.
