Which statement defines a composite number?

Which statement defines a composite number?

• A. A number that has exactly two factors.
• B. A number that can be divided evenly by 1 and itself only.
• C. A whole number greater than 1 that can be divided evenly by numbers other than 1 or itself.
• D. A negative integer.

Answer: (C)

Composite numbers are positive integers greater than 1 that have more than two divisors. In other words, they can be divided evenly by some number other than 1 and themselves. For example, 4 has divisors 1, 2, and 4, so it’s composite because of the extra divisor 2. This is what sets composite numbers apart from primes, which have exactly two divisors: 1 and the number itself. The statement given captures this idea directly by saying the number can be divided evenly by numbers other than 1 or itself. Remember, numbers that are negative or equal to 1 aren’t considered composite.

Composite numbers are positive integers greater than 1 that have more than two divisors. In other words, they can be divided evenly by some number other than 1 and themselves. For example, 4 has divisors 1, 2, and 4, so it’s composite because of the extra divisor 2. This is what sets composite numbers apart from primes, which have exactly two divisors: 1 and the number itself. The statement given captures this idea directly by saying the number can be divided evenly by numbers other than 1 or itself. Remember, numbers that are negative or equal to 1 aren’t considered composite.