Whole Numbers

Whole numbers are the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. They do not include fractions or decimals. Whole numbers are used for counting and representing quantities. Understanding whole numbers is essential in many areas of mathematics.

Properties of Whole Numbers

Whole numbers have several important properties:

1. Closure: When you add, subtract, or multiply two whole numbers, the result is also a whole number.
2. Commutative Property: The order of numbers does not affect the result of addition or multiplication. For example, 3 + 5 is the same as 5 + 3.
3. Associative Property: When adding or multiplying three or more whole numbers, the grouping of the numbers does not affect the result. For example, (2 + 4) + 6 is the same as 2 + (4 + 6).
4. Identity Property: The sum of any whole number and 0 is the number itself. The product of any whole number and 1 is the number itself.

Operations with Whole Numbers

There are four basic operations that can be performed with whole numbers:

1. Addition: Combining two or more whole numbers to find the total.
2. Subtraction: Finding the difference between two whole numbers.
3. Multiplication: Repeated addition of a whole number. For example, 3 × 4 means adding 3 to itself 4 times.
4. Division: Sharing a quantity into equal parts. For example, 12 ÷ 3 means finding how many times 3 can be subtracted from 12.

Study Guide

To master whole numbers, it's important to practice the following skills:

• Identifying and writing whole numbers.
• Ordering whole numbers from least to greatest and vice versa.
• Performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers.
• Understanding the properties of whole numbers and how they apply to the operations.

Remember to use manipulatives, such as number lines, base-10 blocks, or counters, to help visualize and understand the concepts of whole numbers.