What type of number includes both positive and negative numbers, as well as zero?

The correct choice encompasses a set of numbers that includes all whole numbers, their negative counterparts, and zero. Specifically, integers are defined as the set consisting of all positive whole numbers (1, 2, 3, ...), their negative counterparts (-1, -2, -3, ...), and zero. This inclusion of both positive and negative values, along with zero, distinguishes integers from other types of numbers.

Rational numbers are also included in the broader scope of numbers, but they specifically represent numbers that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers, which includes fractions and does not exclusively focus on the whole number aspect. Whole numbers include all non-negative integers (0, 1, 2, ...), and natural numbers refer specifically to the positive integers (1, 2, 3, ...), thereby excluding zero and negative numbers. Thus, integers uniquely satisfy the criterion of having both negative and positive values along with zero.