Integers are whole numbers that can be positive, negative, or zero. They do not include fractions or decimals. For example, the numbers 3, -1, and 0 are all integers. Integers are used in everyday life, such as when counting objects or measuring temperature. In mathematics, integers are important because they form the basis for many calculations. You can add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers, which helps in solving problems. The set of integers is often represented by the symbol Z, which comes from the German word "Zahlen," meaning "numbers."