Whole numbers are numbers that begin from 0 and go on till infinity. 

These numbers are denoted by the letter W. 

Whenever you are asked to count numbers, you start counting 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on… 

This counting method is a natural occurrence, and therefore natural numbers begin from 1 and go till infinity. 

However, in 628 BC, the famous Indian Mathematician Brahmagupta introduced the number 0, and it became the foundation for designing the system of whole numbers. 

Interesting Fact: Every natural number is a whole number but not every whole number is a natural number.

• Closure property

The closure property of whole numbers states that the multiplication or addition of any two whole numbers will result in a whole number as well. 

For example: Let us take two whole numbers, 2 and 3

2X3= 6 (which is also a whole number) 

2+3=5 (which is also a whole number) 

• Commutative property

The commutative property of whole numbers states that the addition or multiplication of two whole numbers will also result in a whole number regardless of their order of addition or multiplication. 

For example: Let us take two whole numbers 2 and 3

2×3 = 3×2

2+5 = 5+2 

• Additive identity property

The additive identity property of the whole numbers states that its value remains unchanged when a whole number is added to zero. 

For example: Let us take a whole number 5

5+0 = 5 

• Multiplicative property

The multiplicative property of whole numbers states that its value remains unchanged when a whole number is multiplied with 1. 

For example: Let us take a whole number 5

5×1= 5 

• Associative property 

The associative property of whole numbers states that the manner of the grouping of the numbers does not affect the result in the case of multiplication or addition. 

For example: Let us take three whole numbers 2,3, and 4. 

(2×3)x4 = 2x(3×4)

(2+3)+4 = 2+(3+4) 

• Distributive property

The distributive property of whole numbers states that when multiplication and addition/subtraction are seen together, the effect of the number outside the bracket falls upon every number inside the bracket. 

For example: Let us take three whole numbers, 5,6, and 7. 

7x(6+5) = (7×6) + (7×5)

7x(6-5) = (7×6) – (7×5)

The entire set of whole numbers can be divided into various patterns, namely

• Ascending
• Descending
• Odd numbers
• Even numbers
• Multiples of a number
• Square numbers 
• Cube numbers etc.

1. What are whole numbers for Class 6?

In mathematics, whole numbers are a part of Real Numbers. 

These numbers begin from 0 and go on up to infinity. 

On the number line, they begin from the number 0 and move forward on the right side. 

The set of whole numbers is an uncountable set. 

2. What is meant by whole numbers for Class 6?

The basic counting numbers that begin from zero and go on up to infinity are known as whole numbers. These numbers are used in daily life, from nutrition labels to the numbers on a TV remote. 

Whole numbers are denoted by the letter W and are a subset of Real numbers. 

3. Which is the smallest whole number for Class 6? 

Since the whole numbers begin from the number 0 on the number line, any number before the number 0 will not be a part of the set of whole numbers. This means that the number 0 is the smallest whole number, and the largest whole number is infinity.

The whole numbers set is 0, 1, 2, 3…infinity. 

4. How many whole numbers are there? 

There are infinite whole numbers. Counting all the whole numbers would be like counting the stars in the sky. 

The set of whole numbers is an uncountable one. This means that there is no definite answer to how many whole numbers are there since the numbers go up to infinity. 

5. Which is the smallest number?

While 0 is the smallest whole number and 1 is the smallest natural number, one can never say the smallest number on the number line. 

This is because the number line’s assumed midpoint is zero, and the numbers (both negative and positive) go up to infinity. 

Therefore, the smallest number on the number line would be an infinite number. 

6. Which is the smallest whole number?

Whole numbers (denoted by the letter w) are a subset of Real Numbers and a superset of Natural numbers. 

Whole numbers begin from the number 0 and go on up to infinity. 

Thus making 0 the smallest whole number.