What is the term used for positive integers in mathematics?

The term used for positive integers in mathematics is known as natural numbers. Natural numbers include all whole numbers starting from 1 and continuing to infinity (1, 2, 3, 4, ...). They are foundational in mathematics, often used for counting and ordering.

Whole numbers include all natural numbers along with 0, extending the definition but not necessarily adhering strictly to only positive integers. Integers encompass all whole numbers and their negative counterparts, thus including negative values which disqualifies them from being strictly positive integers. Rational numbers consist of any number that can be expressed as a fraction of two integers, which can also include negative numbers and zero. Therefore, the classification of positive integers only fits within the definition of natural numbers.