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The whole number is a number which does not contain a "fraction, " i.e., it is an integer.^[1] For example, a mixed number is the sum of a whole number and a proper fraction. ^[2] However various authors use the term in one of the following somewhat different senses, depending on the context:

the nonnegative integers (0, 1, 2, 3, ...) ^[3]
the positive integers (1, 2, 3, ...)^[4]
all integers (..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...).^[5]

In the context of fractions and mixed numbers, a "whole number" and an "integer" are not exactly one and the same concept: a whole number can be changed into an improper fraction by using it a a numerator with denominator "1". For example, the whole number "14" and the fraction "14/1" both represent the integer value of 14.^[6]

See natural number for some information about the evolution of the term.

References

^ [1]
^ [2]
^
- Bourbaki, N. Elements of Mathematics: Theory of Sets. Paris: Hermann, 1968.
- Halmos, P. R. Naive Set Theory. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1974.
- The Math Forum, in explaining real numbers, describes "whole number" as "0, 1, 2, 3, ...".
^
- The Math Forum, in explaining perfect numbers, describes whole number as "an integer greater than zero".
- Eric W. Weisstein. "Whole Number." From MathWorld—A Wolfram Web Resource.
  Weisstein's primary definition is as positive integer. However, he acknowledges other definitions of whole number, and is the source of the reference to Bourbaki and Halmos.
^
- Alan F. Beardon, Professor in Complex Analysis at the University of Cambridge: "of course a whole number can be negative..."
- The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, includes all three possibilities as definitions of whole number. See also: [3].
- Webster's Third New International Dictionary (Unabridged) has the following entry: "whole number n : INTEGER".
^ [4]

[1] [1]

[2] [2]

[3] 
Bourbaki, N. Elements of Mathematics: Theory of Sets. Paris: Hermann, 1968.

Halmos, P. R. Naive Set Theory. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1974.

The Math Forum, in explaining real numbers, describes "whole number" as "0, 1, 2, 3, ...".

[4] Bourbaki, N. Elements of Mathematics: Theory of Sets. Paris: Hermann, 1968.

[5] Halmos, P. R. Naive Set Theory. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1974.

[6] The Math Forum, in explaining real numbers, describes "whole number" as "0, 1, 2, 3, ...".

[4] 
The Math Forum, in explaining perfect numbers, describes whole number as "an integer greater than zero".

Eric W. Weisstein. "Whole Number." From MathWorld—A Wolfram Web Resource.
Weisstein's primary definition is as positive integer. However, he acknowledges other definitions of whole number, and is the source of the reference to Bourbaki and Halmos.

[8] The Math Forum, in explaining perfect numbers, describes whole number as "an integer greater than zero".

[9] Eric W. Weisstein. "Whole Number." From MathWorld—A Wolfram Web Resource.
Weisstein's primary definition is as positive integer. However, he acknowledges other definitions of whole number, and is the source of the reference to Bourbaki and Halmos.

[5] 
Alan F. Beardon, Professor in Complex Analysis at the University of Cambridge: "of course a whole number can be negative..."

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, includes all three possibilities as definitions of whole number. See also: [3].

Webster's Third New International Dictionary (Unabridged) has the following entry: "whole number n : INTEGER".

[11] Alan F. Beardon, Professor in Complex Analysis at the University of Cambridge: "of course a whole number can be negative..."

[12] The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, includes all three possibilities as definitions of whole number. See also: [3].

[13] Webster's Third New International Dictionary (Unabridged) has the following entry: "whole number n : INTEGER".

[6] [4]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

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+The '''whole number''' is a number which does not contain a "[[fraction]], " i.e., it is an [[integer]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=8BFWAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA3&dq=%22whole+number+is%22+fraction&hl=en&ei=wmHETZyvBY-usAP1rMmnAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CFYQ6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=%22whole%20number%20is%22%20fraction&f=false]</ref> For example, a [[mixed number]]  is the sum of a whole number and a proper fraction. <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=KFPQAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA181&dq=%22whole+number%22+fraction&hl=en&ei=5ibETdzPI4SssAPsqf3rAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22whole%20number%22%20fraction&f=false]</ref> However various authors use the term in one of the following somewhat different senses, depending on the context:
-<!--
-    BEFORE YOU EDIT THIS PAGE, PLEASE READ COMMENT AT END.
--->
-The term '''''whole number''''' does not have a consistent definition. Various authors use it in one of the following senses:
-*the [[nonnegative]] [[integer]]s (0, 1, 2, 3, ...) <!--DO NOT REMOVE THIS LINE-->
+*the [[nonnegative]] [[integer]]s (0, 1, 2, 3, ...) <ref>
+*Bourbaki, N. [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/3540225250/ ''Elements of Mathematics: Theory of Sets'']. Paris: Hermann, 1968.
-*the [[positive number|positive]] [[integer]]s (1, 2, 3, ...)<!--DO NOT REMOVE THIS LINE-->
+*Halmos, P. R. [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0387900926/ ''Naive Set Theory'']. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1974.
-*all [[integer]]s (..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...).<!--DO NOT REMOVE THIS LINE-->
+*The Math Forum, in explaining real numbers, describes "whole number" as [http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/57052.html "0, 1, 2, 3, ..."].
+</ref>
+*the [[positive number|positive]] [[integer]]s (1, 2, 3, ...)<ref>
+*The Math Forum, in explaining perfect numbers, describes ''whole number'' as [http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.perfect.html "an integer greater than zero"].
+*Eric W. Weisstein. "Whole Number." From [http://mathworld.wolfram.com/WholeNumber.html MathWorld&mdash;A Wolfram Web Resource].
+*:Weisstein's primary definition is as positive integer. However, he acknowledges other definitions of ''whole number,'' and is the source of the reference to Bourbaki and Halmos.
+</ref>
+*all [[integer]]s (..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...).<ref>
+*Alan F. Beardon, Professor in Complex Analysis at the University of Cambridge: [http://www.enrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=1321 "of course a whole number can be negative..."]
+*The [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395825172/ ''American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language''], 4th edition, includes all three possibilities as definitions of ''whole number.'' See also: [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/whole+number].
+*''Webster's Third New International Dictionary (Unabridged)'' has the following entry: "whole number ''n'' : INTEGER".
+</ref>
+In the context of fractions and mixed numbers, a "whole number" and an "integer" are not exactly one and the same concept:  a whole number can be changed into an [[improper fraction]] by using it a a numerator with denominator "1". For example, the whole number "14" and the fraction "14/1" both ''represent'' the integer value of 14.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=zu42AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA90&dq=%22whole+number+is%22+fraction&hl=en&ei=s2PETaa4AYrUtQPUwOHEAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CFsQ6AEwBDgo#v=onepage&q=%22whole%20number%20is%22%20fraction&f=false]</ref>
-See [[natural number]] for some information about the evolution of the term.<!--
-    Below are references for each of the three ways ''whole number'' has been used in mathematical literature:
+See [[natural number]] for some information about the evolution of the term.
-    Whole number as nonnegative integer:
-      + *Bourbaki, N. [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/3540225250/ ''Elements of Mathematics: Theory of Sets'']. Paris: Hermann, 1968.
-      + *Halmos, P. R. [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0387900926/ ''Naive Set Theory'']. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1974.
-      + *The Math Forum, in explaining real numbers, describes "whole number" as [http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/57052.html "0, 1, 2, 3, ..."].
+==References==
-    Whole number as positive integer:
+{{reflist}}
-      + *The Math Forum, in explaining perfect numbers, describes ''whole number'' as [http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.perfect.html "an integer greater than zero"].
+[[Category:Elementary arithmetic]]
-      + *Eric W. Weisstein. "Whole Number." From [http://mathworld.wolfram.com/WholeNumber.html MathWorld&mdash;A Wolfram Web Resource].
+[[Category:Numbers]]
-        (Weisstein's primary definition is as positive integer. However, he acknowledges other definitions of ''whole number,'' and is the source of the reference to Bourbaki and Halmos above.)
-    Whole number as integer:
-      + *Alan F. Beardon, Professor in Complex Analysis at the University of Cambridge: [http://www.enrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=1321 "of course a whole number can be negative..."]
-      + *The [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395825172/ ''American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language''], 4th edition, includes all three possibilities as definitions of ''whole number.'' See also: [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/whole+number].
-      + *''Webster's Third New International Dictionary (Unabridged)'' has the following entry: "whole number ''n'' : INTEGER".
--->
-{{disambig}}
-[[Category:Mathematical disambiguation]]
 [[es:número entero]]