Composite Number: Which term describes a whole number that can be divided by numbers other than 1 and itself?

Composite Number: Which term describes a whole number that can be divided by numbers other than 1 and itself?

• A. Prime Number
• B. Composite Number
• C. Even Number
• D. Whole Number

Answer: (B)

A composite number is a whole number greater than 1 that has more than two positive divisors, meaning it can be divided by numbers other than 1 and itself. This is exactly the property described: you can divide the number by smaller numbers besides 1 and the number itself. For example, 6 is divisible by 2 and 3 as well as by 1 and 6, so it is composite. In contrast, a prime number has exactly two divisors (1 and itself), like 5. An even number is simply divisible by 2, which can include primes like 2, so being even doesn’t by itself guarantee being divisible by numbers other than 1 and itself. A whole number is any nonnegative integer and doesn't specify divisibility at all.

A composite number is a whole number greater than 1 that has more than two positive divisors, meaning it can be divided by numbers other than 1 and itself. This is exactly the property described: you can divide the number by smaller numbers besides 1 and the number itself. For example, 6 is divisible by 2 and 3 as well as by 1 and 6, so it is composite.

In contrast, a prime number has exactly two divisors (1 and itself), like 5. An even number is simply divisible by 2, which can include primes like 2, so being even doesn’t by itself guarantee being divisible by numbers other than 1 and itself. A whole number is any nonnegative integer and doesn't specify divisibility at all.