Question

Which one of the following is the smallest even whole number?
A.0
B.1
C.2
D.None of these.

Answer 1

Hint: We will understand whole numbers and then we will understand even numbers and then by using these definitions, we will determine the smallest even whole number.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Whole numbers are the positive integers including zero.
\[W = \{ 0,1,2,3,...\} \]
Even number: All the numbers ending with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 are called even numbers.
0 is an even number and whole number. So, the smallest even whole number is 0.
Hence, the correct option is option A.

Note: The numbers ending with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 are even numbers. Also, the numbers which are divisible by 2 are even numbers.
The numbers ending with 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are called odd numbers.
Here we must get confused between 0 and 2, as both are even numbers, and whole numbers start from 0, 1, 2, …. and so on. Hence our answer must be 0.
Also, students may get confused as to if 0 is an even number or not, so remember 0 is an even number.
If we were asked to find the smallest even non-zero whole number then our answer should be 2 and not 0, as 0 is not non-zero.
Also, if we were asked to find the smallest even natural number then our answer would be 2, as natural numbers start from 1, 2, 3, …. and so on.