Integer vs. Number — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
Integer is a whole number, positive or negative, including zero. Number is a mathematical value representing quantity or sequence. Every integer is a number, but not every number is an integer.
Difference Between Integer and Number
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Integers and numbers are both fundamental concepts in mathematics, but they aren't synonymous. An integer specifically refers to whole numbers, including both positive and negative values, as well as zero. This means that -3, 0, and 4 are all examples of integers. In essence, integers exclude fractional and decimal values.
Numbers, on the other hand, cast a much wider net in terms of definition. They represent any value that indicates quantity or sequence, and this umbrella term encompasses not only integers but also fractions, decimals, irrationals, and more. For instance, 2.5, ⅔, π (pi), and -7 are all numbers, but only the last one is an integer.
When considering the relationship between integers and numbers, one can think of integers as a subset of numbers. Just as every square is a rectangle but not every rectangle is a square, every integer is a number, but not every number is an integer.
Another way to distinguish between integers and numbers is by examining their applications. Integers might be used when counting items, defining positions, or when precision is not necessary. Numbers, given their broader scope, find use in a multitude of scenarios ranging from measuring distance to defining temperature and beyond.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A whole number, including negatives.
A value indicating quantity or sequence.
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Includes
Positive, negative values, and zero.
Integers, fractions, decimals, irrationals, etc.
Excludes
Fractions, decimals, irrationals.
None.
Application
Counting items, defining positions.
Measuring, counting, defining sequence.
Relationship
Subset of numbers.
Broad category encompassing many types.
Compare with Definitions
Integer
Represents complete units without subdivisions.
You can have an integer number of apples, but not an integer amount of water in a glass.
Number
A symbol or word representing a mathematical value.
Three is a number represented by the symbol 3.
Integer
Can be positive, negative, or zero.
-5 is an integer just as much as 5 is.
Number
Can denote an amount, rank, or position in a series.
The serial number of the product is on the box.
Integer
A whole number not having a fractional part.
7 is an integer, but 7.5 is not.
Number
A number is a mathematical object used to count, measure, and label. The original examples are the natural numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth.
Integer
A member of a set {...,-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,...}.
The set of integers includes 0 and all its additive inverses.
Number
A member of the set of positive integers; one of a series of symbols of unique meaning in a fixed order that can be derived by counting.
Integer
A number without a decimal point.
The number 10 is an integer; 10.01 is not.
Number
A member of any of the following sets of mathematical objects
Integers, rational numbers, real numbers, and complex numbers. These sets can be derived from the positive integers through various algebraic and analytic constructions.
Integer
An integer (from the Latin integer meaning "whole") is colloquially defined as a number that can be written without a fractional component. For example, 21, 4, 0, and −2048 are integers, while 9.75, 5+1/2, and √2 are not.
Number
Numbers Arithmetic.
Integer
A number which is not a fraction; a whole number
Integer values
Number
A symbol or word used to represent a number.
Integer
A thing complete in itself.
Number
A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification
His telephone number.
The apartment number.
Integer
A member of the set of positive whole numbers {1, 2, 3, ... }, negative whole numbers {-1, -2, -3, ... }, and zero {0}.
Number
A position in an ordered sequence that corresponds to one of the positive integers
The house that is number three from the corner.
Ranked number six in her class.
Integer
A complete unit or entity.
Number
One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order
An old number of a magazine.
Integer
(arithmetic) A number that is not a fraction; an element of the infinite and numerable set {..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...}.
Number
A total; a sum
The number of feet in a mile.
Integer
A complete entity; a whole number, in contradistinction to a fraction or a mixed number.
Number
An indefinite quantity of units or individuals
The crowd was small in number. A number of people complained.
Integer
Any of the natural numbers (positive or negative) or zero
Number
A large quantity; a multitude
Numbers of people visited the fair.
Number
Numerical superiority
The South had leaders, the North numbers.
Number
(Grammar) The indication, as by inflection, of the singularity, duality, or plurality of a linguistic form.
Number
Metrical feet or lines; verses
"These numbers will I tear, and write in prose" (Shakespeare).
Number
(Obsolete) Poetic meter.
Number
Numbers(Archaic) Musical periods or measures.
Number
Numbers (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games A numbers game.
Number
Numbers (used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.
Number
One of the separate offerings in a program of music or other entertainment
The band's second number was a march.
Number
(Slang) A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or performance
Suspects doing their usual number—protesting innocence.
Number
(Slang) A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic
A crafty number.
Number
To assign a number to or mark with a number
Did you number the pages of the report?.
Number
To determine the number or amount of; count
Tickets sold for the show were numbered at 500.
Number
To total in number or amount; add up to
The ships in the harbor number around 100.
Number
To include in a group or category
He was numbered among the lost.
Number
To limit or restrict in number
Our days are numbered.
Number
To call off numbers; count
Numbering to ten.
Number
To have as a total; amount to a number
The applicants numbered in the thousands.
Number
(countable) An abstract entity used to describe quantity.
Zero, one, −1, 2.5, and pi are all numbers.
Number
(countable) A numeral: a symbol for a non-negative integer.
The number 8 is usually made with a single stroke.
Number
An element of one of several sets: natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, complex numbers, and sometimes extensions such as hypercomplex numbers, etc.
The equation includes the most important numbers: 1, 0, , , and .
Number
(Followed by a numeral; used attributively) Indicating the position of something in a list or sequence. Abbreviations: No or No., no or no. (in each case, sometimes written with a superscript "o", like Nº or №). The symbol "#" is also used in this manner.
Horse number 5 won the race.
Number
Quantity.
Any number of people can be reading from a given repository at a time.
Number
A sequence of digits and letters used to register people, automobiles, and various other items.
Her passport number is C01X864TN.
Number
A telephone number.
Number
(grammar) Of a word or phrase, the state of being singular, dual or plural, shown by inflection.
Adjectives and nouns should agree in gender, number, and case.
Number
Poetic metres; verses, rhymes.
Number
(countable) A performance; especially, a single song or song and dance routine within a larger show.
For his second number, he sang "The Moon Shines Bright".
Number
A person.
Number
An item of clothing, particularly a stylish one.
Number
A marijuana cigarette, or joint; also, a quantity of marijuana bought from a dealer.
Number
(dated) An issue of a periodical publication.
The latest number of a magazine
Number
A large amount, in contrast to a smaller amount; numerical preponderance.
Number
A large amount of damage
Number
(transitive) To label (items) with numbers; to assign numbers to (items).
Number the baskets so that we can find them easily.
Number
(intransitive) To total or count; to amount to.
I don’t know how many books are in the library, but they must number in the thousands.
Number
That which admits of being counted or reckoned; a unit, or an aggregate of units; a numerable aggregate or collection of individuals; an assemblage made up of distinct things expressible by figures.
Number
A collection of many individuals; a numerous assemblage; a multitude; many.
Ladies are always of great use to the party they espouse, and never fail to win over numbers.
Number
A numeral; a word or character denoting a number; as, to put a number on a door.
Number
Numerousness; multitude.
Number itself importeth not much in armies where the people are of weak courage.
Number
The state or quality of being numerable or countable.
Of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds out of number.
Number
Quantity, regarded as made up of an aggregate of separate things.
Number
That which is regulated by count; poetic measure, as divisions of time or number of syllables; hence, poetry, verse; - chiefly used in the plural.
I lisped in numbers, for the numbers came.
Number
The distinction of objects, as one, or more than one (in some languages, as one, or two, or more than two), expressed (usually) by a difference in the form of a word; thus, the singular number and the plural number are the names of the forms of a word indicating the objects denoted or referred to by the word as one, or as more than one.
Number
The measure of the relation between quantities or things of the same kind; that abstract species of quantity which is capable of being expressed by figures; numerical value.
Number
To count; to reckon; to ascertain the units of; to enumerate.
If a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
Number
To reckon as one of a collection or multitude.
He was numbered with the transgressors.
Number
To give or apply a number or numbers to; to assign the place of in a series by order of number; to designate the place of by a number or numeral; as, to number the houses in a street, or the apartments in a building.
Number
To amount; to equal in number; to contain; to consist of; as, the army numbers fifty thousand.
Thy tears can not number the dead.
Number
The property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals;
He had a number of chores to do
The number of parameters is small
The figure was about a thousand
Number
A concept of quantity derived from zero and units;
Every number has a unique position in the sequence
Number
A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program;
He did his act three times every evening
She had a catchy little routine
It was one of the best numbers he ever did
Number
A numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification;
She refused to give them her Social Security number
Number
The number is used in calling a particular telephone;
He has an unlisted number
Number
A symbol used to represent a number;
He learned to write the numerals before he went to school
Number
One of a series published periodically;
She found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist's waitingroom
Number
A select company of people;
I hope to become one of their number before I die
Number
The grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural);
In English the subject and the verb must agree in number
Number
An item of merchandise offered for sale;
She preferred the black nylon number
This sweater is an all-wool number
Number
A clothing measurement;
A number 13 shoe
Number
Add up in number or quantity;
The bills amounted to $2,000
The bill came to $2,000
Number
Give numbers to;
You should number the pages of the thesis
Number
Enumerate;
We must number the names of the great mathematicians
Number
Put into a group;
The academy counts several Nobel Prize winners among its members
Number
Determine the number or amount of;
Can you count the books on your shelf?
Count your change
Number
Place a limit on the number of
Number
A mathematical representation of quantity.
The number of trees in the forest is vast.
Number
Can be real, imaginary, rational, or irrational.
The square root of -1 is an imaginary number.
Number
A term used to indicate position in a sequence.
She was number one in her class.
Common Curiosities
Is zero an integer?
Yes, zero is considered an integer.
Are decimals considered numbers?
Yes, decimals are numbers but they aren't integers.
Can a number be fractional?
Yes, numbers can be fractions, like ½ or 2.5.
Is the concept of number limited to mathematics?
No, numbers are used in various contexts beyond math, like indicating position or quantity.
Can integers be used to represent sequences?
Yes, integers can represent positions or sequences.
Is the concept of an integer universal in all cultures?
While the concept of whole numbers is universal, notations or representations might vary across cultures.
Is every integer a number?
Yes, every integer is a number.
Are all numbers integers?
No, only whole numbers without fractions or decimals are integers.
Do integers include decimals?
No, integers are whole numbers and don't include decimals.
How are integers used in real life?
Integers are used in counting, banking, temperature reading, and many other scenarios.
Are negative values considered integers?
Yes, negative whole numbers are integers.
Can a number represent something abstract?
Yes, numbers can represent abstract concepts, like the idea of "one" or "infinity."
What's the main distinction between an integer and a number?
An integer is a whole number, while "number" is a broader term that includes integers, decimals, fractions, and more.
Why are numbers important?
Numbers are fundamental to understanding quantity, order, measurement, and making sense of the world.
Can numbers be imaginary?
Yes, there are imaginary numbers in complex mathematics.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
