What type of number is zero considered to be?

Zero is classified as a whole number because whole numbers include all non-negative integers starting from zero and extending upwards (0, 1, 2, 3, ...). Whole numbers do not include fractions, decimals, or negative numbers, and zero serves as the foundational element of this set.

While zero is not a negative number and does not fit the definition of a prime number (which requires a number to have exactly two distinct positive divisors), it also does not qualify as an irrational number since irrational numbers are defined as numbers that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction. Hence, recognizing zero as a whole number is essential for understanding its role in the set of integers and its significance in mathematics.