Which statement about factors is true?

Which statement about factors is true?

• A. A prime number has exactly two distinct positive factors.
• B. A composite number has exactly one factor.
• C. Every number greater than 1 is prime.
• D. The factors of 4 are only 1 and 4.

Answer: (A)

Understanding what counts as a factor and how prime numbers behave is what this question is about. A factor is a positive number that divides another number exactly. A prime number has exactly two distinct positive factors: 1 and the number itself. That’s why the statement is true. A composite number, on the other hand, has more than two factors; for example, 6 has factors 1, 2, 3, and 6. Numbers greater than 1 that aren’t prime, like 4 or 9, aren’t prime, so the claim that every number greater than 1 is prime isn’t true. Also, 4 has factors 1, 2, and 4, not just 1 and 4, so that statement isn’t correct either.

Understanding what counts as a factor and how prime numbers behave is what this question is about. A factor is a positive number that divides another number exactly. A prime number has exactly two distinct positive factors: 1 and the number itself. That’s why the statement is true.

A composite number, on the other hand, has more than two factors; for example, 6 has factors 1, 2, 3, and 6. Numbers greater than 1 that aren’t prime, like 4 or 9, aren’t prime, so the claim that every number greater than 1 is prime isn’t true. Also, 4 has factors 1, 2, and 4, not just 1 and 4, so that statement isn’t correct either.