Which term describes a whole number that can be divided evenly by itself and by 1, as well as by one or more other whole numbers?

Which term describes a whole number that can be divided evenly by itself and by 1, as well as by one or more other whole numbers?

• A. Prime number
• B. Composite number
• C. Integer
• D. Rational number

Answer: (B)

The term that describes a whole number that can be divided evenly by itself, by 1, and by one or more other whole numbers is a composite number. A composite number is defined as having more than two distinct positive divisors, meaning that in addition to being divisible by 1 and itself, it can also be divided evenly by at least one additional integer. For example, the number 4 is composite because it can be divided evenly by 1, 2, and 4. In contrast, prime numbers, such as 2 or 3, only have two positive divisors: 1 and the number itself. Integers include both positive and negative whole numbers and zero, so this term does not specifically address the divisors of the integers. Rational numbers encompass fractions and decimals that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers, but this definition is broader and does not specifically focus on whole numbers or their divisibility characteristics.

The term that describes a whole number that can be divided evenly by itself, by 1, and by one or more other whole numbers is a composite number. A composite number is defined as having more than two distinct positive divisors, meaning that in addition to being divisible by 1 and itself, it can also be divided evenly by at least one additional integer.

For example, the number 4 is composite because it can be divided evenly by 1, 2, and 4. In contrast, prime numbers, such as 2 or 3, only have two positive divisors: 1 and the number itself.

Integers include both positive and negative whole numbers and zero, so this term does not specifically address the divisors of the integers. Rational numbers encompass fractions and decimals that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers, but this definition is broader and does not specifically focus on whole numbers or their divisibility characteristics.