Which statement correctly defines an integer?

• A. All numbers with decimals
• B. All whole numbers (both positive and negative) and zero
• C. A single binary digit
• D. A real number with fractional part

Answer: (B)

Integers are the whole numbers on the number line that can be positive, negative, or zero, and they have no fractional part. In other words, numbers like -7, 0, and 42 are integers, because they don’t have decimals or fractions. The statement that describes this most accurately says all whole numbers (both positive and negative) and zero, since it includes negative, zero, and positive integers and excludes any decimal part. Numbers with decimals (like 3.5) or a single binary digit (which is a bit, not an integer) don’t fit the definition.