What is an integer?

An integer is any whole number and its negative, together with zero. Integers have no fractional or decimal part. The integers are ... −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3 ... going on forever in both directions. Numbers like 2.5 or 3/4 are not integers.

Examples

• −4, 0 and 27 are all integers.
• 2.5 is not an integer because it has a decimal part.
• A temperature of −6°C is an integer.

Quick facts

• Zero is an integer, and it is neither positive nor negative.
• Positive integers are also called whole numbers or counting numbers.