The set {...} shown, containing negative numbers, zero, and positive numbers, is an example of which number system?

The set {...} shown, containing negative numbers, zero, and positive numbers, is an example of which number system?

• A. Integers
• B. Natural numbers
• C. Whole numbers
• D. Rational numbers

Answer: (A)

The set shown includes negative numbers, zero, and positive numbers, so it matches all integers: every whole number is included with its negative counterpart, plus zero. Natural numbers are positive (sometimes starting at 1) and don’t have negatives or zero in some conventions. Whole numbers include zero and positives but no negatives. Rational numbers cover fractions as well as integers, so while every integer is rational, the set shown is more specifically the integers.

The set shown includes negative numbers, zero, and positive numbers, so it matches all integers: every whole number is included with its negative counterpart, plus zero. Natural numbers are positive (sometimes starting at 1) and don’t have negatives or zero in some conventions. Whole numbers include zero and positives but no negatives. Rational numbers cover fractions as well as integers, so while every integer is rational, the set shown is more specifically the integers.