Which statement best defines an integer?

Which statement best defines an integer?

• A. A ratio
• B. A positive number
• C. A decimal
• D. A whole number not a fraction or fractional component

Answer: (D)

An integer is any number with no fractional part, meaning it can be written without a decimal point or without a fraction. It includes positive numbers, zero, and negative numbers. The best description here is the one that says a whole number with no fraction or fractional component, because that directly captures the defining idea: no part of the number comes from a fraction. A ratio relates two numbers and isn’t restricted to be without fractions, a positive number excludes zero and negatives, and a decimal can express many numbers that do have fractional parts. So, integers are exactly the numbers with no fractional part.

An integer is any number with no fractional part, meaning it can be written without a decimal point or without a fraction. It includes positive numbers, zero, and negative numbers. The best description here is the one that says a whole number with no fraction or fractional component, because that directly captures the defining idea: no part of the number comes from a fraction. A ratio relates two numbers and isn’t restricted to be without fractions, a positive number excludes zero and negatives, and a decimal can express many numbers that do have fractional parts. So, integers are exactly the numbers with no fractional part.