1. **Stating the problem:** We want to understand the basic operations of whole numbers, which include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 2. **Formulas and rules:** - Addition: $a + b$ means combining two whole numbers. - Subtraction: $a - b$ means finding the difference between two whole numbers. - Multiplication: $a \times b$ means repeated addition of $a$, $b$ times. - Division: $a \div b$ means splitting $a$ into $b$ equal parts. 3. **Important rules:** - Whole numbers are non-negative integers: $0, 1, 2, 3, \ldots$ - Addition and multiplication of whole numbers always result in whole numbers. - Subtraction and division may not always result in whole numbers. 4. **Examples:** - Addition: $3 + 5 = 8$ - Subtraction: $7 - 4 = 3$ - Multiplication: $6 \times 4 = 24$ - Division: $20 \div 5 = 4$ 5. **Explanation:** - Addition combines quantities. - Subtraction finds how much more one number is than another. - Multiplication is repeated addition. - Division splits a number into equal parts. This covers the basic operations of whole numbers.