Concept of Integers

Integers: The numbers –1, –2, –3, … (to the left of zero) are negative numbers or negative integers and the numbers 1, 2, 3,… (to the right of zero) are positive numbers or positive integers.
Hence, the new set of numbers …, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,… are called Integers.

Integers are derived from the Latin word "integer, meaning "whole" or "intact". So, Integers include all whole numbers, including negative numbers that do not have any fractional or decimal components. The set of integers is infinite and spans in both positive and negative directions.

Symbol for Integers:
The symbol used to represent the set of integers is "ℤ". This symbol comes from the German word "Zahlen", which means "numbers". 

Understanding the Collection of Integers through Sets:

The collection of integers can be understood by the following diagram: