1 is the identity for addition of whole numbers.
Step 1: What is an additive identity?
An additive identity is a number that keeps any number the same when we add it.
Step 2: Write this in math form
For any whole number \(a\),
we must have \(a + \boxed{?} = a\).
Step 3: Test with 1
Take \(a = 5\).
\(5 + 1 = 6\).
But \(6 \neq 5\).
So, 1 does not keep the number the same.
Step 4: Test with 0
Take \(a = 5\).
\(5 + 0 = 5\).
Also, \(0 + 5 = 5\).
The number stays the same.
Step 5: General statement
For any whole number \(a\),
\(a + 0 = a\) and \(0 + a = a\).
Conclusion
The additive identity for whole numbers is \(0\), not \(1\).