Integers, a fundamental concept in mathematics, represent whole numbers without any fractional parts. In the realm of numbers, integers stand apart from real numbers, which encompass both whole numbers and fractions. Think of counting apples in a basket; the number of apples can only be a whole number, an integer like 5 or 10, never a fraction like 2.5.
The concept of integers finds countless applications in fields such as computer science, physics, and economics. Its historical roots trace back to the ancient Babylonians, who used integers to devise intricate measurement systems.