Whole Numbers: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Number System 2021 ( Maths Number System )

Rajdeep Das
Updated on Sep 3, 2021 11:37 IST

By Rajdeep Das

All counting numbers from 1 to infinity are known as natural numbers, meaning all positive integers and zero.

All whole numbers are integers, whereas all integers cannot be whole-numbers. We can perform various arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on whole numbers.

Table of contents
  • Properties
  • Importance and Weightage in Class 10
  • Illustrated Examples
  • Frequently Asked Questions
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Properties

  • Commutative property

The commutative property of whole numbers states that the result of the addition or multiplication of two whole numbers is the same irrespective of the order in which the operation is performed.

m + n = n + m and m x n = n x m

  • Additive identity

When zero is added to a whole number, the result is the number itself.

m + 0 = m

  • Multiplicative identity

When 1 is multiplied by a whole number, the result is the number itself.

m x 1 = m

  • Associative property

When more than two whole numbers are added or multiplied, they can be grouped in any manner, and the answer will remain unchanged. Irrespective of the grouping, the result remains the same.(m+n) + p = m + (n+p)

(k x l) x m = k x (l x m)

  • Distributive property

When an arithmetic operation is performed on a set, it applies the same to all members of the set.

m.(n-p) = m.n - m.p

m.(n+p) = m.n + m.p

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Importance and Weightage in Class 10

The topic of whole numbers is thoroughly explained in Class 9 maths and is a part of the Real Numbers chapter in Class 10. Approximate weightage of this topic in the exams is 2-3 marks.

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Illustrated Examples

  • Which of these are whole numbers?
    5, ½, 89, 3, -7, 4i

Solution:

All the natural numbers and zero are whole numbers.So, from the given set of numbers

5, 3 and 89 are whole numbers.

  • A shopkeeper supplies 16 litres of milk to a society in the morning and 34 litres of milk in the afternoon. If the milk costs Rs 45 per litre, how much money does the shopkeeper make per day

Solution:

According to the question, milk supplied in a day is 16 litres and 34 litres.

The cost of milk per liter is Rs. 45

Amount due= quantity of milk in the morning x rate per liter + quantity of milk in the afternoon x rate per liter

Amount due = 16 x 45 + 34 x 45

= (16 + 34) x 45= 50 x 45 = Rs. 2250

  • Find the value of 71265 × 149 – 71265 × 49.

Solution:

Using reverse distributive property,

= 71265 (149 - 49)

= 71265 x 100 = 7126500

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the relation between a whole number and a natural number?

A: Collection of natural numbers and zero are called whole numbers. Eg: 0, 1, 2.

Q: What kind of number is zero?

A: 0 is a whole number.

Q: Can a negative number be called a whole number?

A: No, a negative number cannot be called a whole number.

Q: What is Closure Property?

A: When an operation is performed on the members of a particular set, and the result is also a member of that set, it is called a closed set, and the property is known as closure property. According to this property, if an operation is performed on two whole numbers, the result is also a whole number. m + n = (m+n), where m, n, and (m+n) are all whole numbers.

Q: Is it possible to determine the biggest whole number?

A: It is not possible to determine the biggest whole number as for every whole number ‘m’ there's also an ‘m+1’ which will also be a whole number.
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Maths Number System Exam

Student Forum

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Answered 3 weeks ago

CLAT does not publish a fixed count for Number System questions. The UG exam stays largely passage-based. This topic supports calculation inside Quantitative Techniques passages. It does not appear as standalone questions.

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Shobhit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Number System questions cover many types. These include basic property checks, combined divisibility conditions, HCF and LCM problems, remainder patterns and multi condition reasoning. They test calculation speed and accuracy.

S

Shobhit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Students can improve step by step. Learn divisibility rules. Practise HCF and LCM daily. Work through remainder questions carefully. Regular revision of common traps also builds accuracy and speed.

S

Shobhit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

There is no single fixed book for this topic. Students often use standard Class 10 level maths books. Combine these with regular practice sets and previous year papers to build accuracy.

S

Shobhit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Students should start early. Practice Number System alongside other Quantitative Techniques topics. Strong basics make combined divisibility and multi condition questions easier later.

S

Shobhit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Number System is not a separate scored CLAT topic. But the calculation skills help with passage-based Quantitative Techniques questions. Skipping it fully is not wise. Most passages need quick, accurate number work.

S

Shobhit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

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