integer (redirected from whole number)

integer: see number; number theory.

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integer

Whole-valued positive or negative number or 0. The integers are generated from the set of counting numbers 1, 2, 3, . . . and the operation of subtraction. When a counting number is subtracted from itself, the result is zero. When a larger number is subtracted from a smaller number, the result is a negative whole number. In this way, every integer can be derived from the counting numbers, resulting in a set of numbers closed under the operation of subtraction (see group theory).

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A whole number. In programming, sending the number 123.898 to an integer function would return 123. See integer arithmetic.

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(mathematics)

integer - (Or "whole number") One of the finite numbers in the infinite set ..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ... An inductive definition of an integer is a number that is either zero or an integer plus or minus one. An integer is a number with no fractional part. If written as a fixed-point number, the part after the decimal (or other base) point will be zero. A natural number is a non-negative integer.