Whole Numbers vs Natural Numbers

Whole Numbers

Whole numbers are positive integers, including zero, the smallest whole number. 0 is the undefined identity representing a null set or no result. Whole numbers do not include decimals, fractions, and negative numbers. We can use whole numbers to easily carry out the mathematical operations i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Whole numbers are represented as W = {0, 1, 2, 3, ….∞}.

Natural numbers

Natural numbers are the real numbers consisting of all the positive numbers from 1 to infinity, excluding zero (0), decimals, fractions, and negative numbers. We can use whole numbers to easily carry out the mathematical operations i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Natural numbers are represented as N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,….∞}

Let us learn the differences between whole numbers and natural numbers from the table below.

Difference between Whole and Natural Numbers

Let us learn the similarities between whole and natural numbers.

Similarities

1. Both whole and natural numbers are positive numbers
2. Both are closed under the mathematical operations – addition, and multiplication
3. Both are exclusive of negative integers, fractions, and decimals.

Solved Examples

Find out the whole numbers from the following list: 16, 240, 67.899, 3/5, −27, 0, −19, −3/2.

Solution:

As we know,
Whole numbers are the positive numbers starting from zero (0),
∴ The whole numbers here = 0, 16, and 240

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