21
Understanding Integers
Integers are positive and negative whole numbers and zero. In other words, they are not decimals
or fractions. A given integer is greater than another integer if it has a higher value. An integer has a
higher value than all integers to its left on the number line. The integer 5 is greater than the integer 4
(5 4). An integer has a lower value than all integers to its right on the number line. The integer 4 is less
than the integer 5 (4 5).
Skills Workshop 5
See It
Identify the integers in this series of numbers: 5, –2.6, 0, 3
3
4
, –9
1
8
, 10, 14
2
6
.
Step 1: Eliminate from the list all fractions, both positive and negative (3
3
4
,
–9
1
8
, 14
2
6
).
Step 2: Eliminate from the list all decimals, both positive and negative (–2.6).
Step 3: The remaining list includes only integers (5, 0, 10).
Check It
Identify the integers in each series of numbers.
1. 128, 99.05, 105
1
3
, –115, 98, 103
2.
3
4
, –5, 0.4,
1
4
, 3, 0, 6
3. 1, –35, 56.7, 0.001,
15
16
, 10, 756
4. 45
1
4
, 978, –359, 0, 15.6, 37, 4
5
7
5. 8, –4
2
3
, –7, 9.01, 4, 2,
7
8
, –6.3
6. 529, 749, –876, 697.4, 589.9, 567, 502
7. 62.8, 76, 54
1
8
, 73.9, 58, 63
6
7
8. 4
7
8
, –3, 5
1
8
, –2
4
5
, 0, 5
9. 242.2, 189, 252, 197
1
4
, 237
10. 365, 180, 90, 30, 7
–5
–5.5 –23/4 31/2 1.1
–4 –3 –2 –1 0
Integers
1 2 3 4 5
Not Integers