Whole Numbers

Natural numbers
The numbers used for counting are called natural numbers. Every natural number is a whole number.

Predecessor and Successor
The number that comes immediately before another number in counting is called its predecessor. The number that comes immediately after another number in counting is called its successor.

To find the successor of a whole number, just add 1 to the given number. Similarly, to find the predecessor of a whole number, subtract 1 from the given number.
The value of nothing is represented by the number zero. Zero is not the successor of any whole number.
e.g. 3 – 3 = 0.

Whole numbers
Natural numbers together with the number zero are called whole numbers. Zero is the smallest whole number. There is no largest whole number.

Whole numbers can be represented on the number line. There are no numbers to the left of zero on the number line. When comparing two whole numbers, the number that lies to the right on the number line is greater. When comparing two whole numbers, the number that lies to the left on the number line is smaller.

Whole numbers can be added, subtracted and multiplied on the number line.