What is the set of all positive whole numbers including zero known as?

• A. Natural numbers
• B. Integers
• C. Whole numbers
• D. Rational numbers

Answer: (C)

The set of all positive whole numbers including zero is known as whole numbers. Whole numbers begin at zero and extend indefinitely with the positive integers (1, 2, 3, ...). This set does not include negative numbers or fractions, distinguishing it from other number classifications.

Natural numbers typically refer to the counting numbers starting from 1, which do not include zero, while integers include both positive and negative whole numbers, as well as zero. Rational numbers encompass numbers that can be expressed as a fraction of integers, therefore including negatives and non-whole values.

Thus, the definition of whole numbers precisely captures the set that includes zero and all positive whole numbers, making it the correct answer.