1. **State the problem:** We need to find the whole number such that 35% of it equals 98. 2. **Write the equation:** Let the unknown number be $x$. Then: $$0.35 \times x = 98$$ 3. **Solve for $x$:** Divide both sides by 0.35: $$x = \frac{98}{0.35}$$ 4. **Simplify the fraction:** $$x = \frac{98}{\cancel{0.35}} \times \frac{\cancel{1}}{1} = \frac{98}{0.35}$$ (Here, we show the division directly as decimal division.) 5. **Calculate the value:** $$x = 280$$ 6. **Answer:** The whole number is **280**.