What type of number is described as a number made up of a whole number and a fraction?

A mixed number is defined as a number that consists of a whole number part and a fractional part. For example, the number 2 1/2 is a mixed number because it combines the whole number 2 with the fraction 1/2. This representation allows for a convenient way to express values that fall between whole numbers, making mixed numbers particularly useful in various mathematical contexts, such as measurement or arithmetic involving fractions.

The other options do not accurately reflect this definition: decimals represent fractional values in a different format, integers are whole numbers without any fractional component, and whole numbers encompass all non-negative numbers without fractions or decimals. Therefore, the identification of a mixed number as a combination of a whole number and a fraction is essential in understanding the broader category of numbers utilized in mathematics.