Integers are whole numbers that can be positive, negative, or zero. They do not include fractions or decimals. For example, the numbers −3, 0, and 5 are all integers. Integers are used in everyday life, such as when counting objects or measuring temperature changes. In mathematics, integers are important for various operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They form a number system that helps us solve problems and understand relationships between numbers. The set of integers is often represented by the symbol ℤ, which comes from the German word "Zahlen," meaning "numbers."