Question

prime numbers and prime factorization
assignment active
explaining prime and composite
explain how you decide whether a number is a prime number or a composite number.

Explanation:

Define prime and composite numbers by counting factors

A whole number greater than 1 is prime if it has exactly two factors: 1 and itself. A whole number greater than 1 is composite if it has more than two factors.

Determine the number of factors

Find all whole numbers that divide the given number evenly without a remainder.

Classify the number based on the factor count

If only 1 and the number itself divide it, it is prime. If any other number also divides it, it is composite.

Answer:

To decide whether a whole number greater than 1 is prime or composite, count its factors:

1. Find all whole numbers that divide the number evenly with no remainder.
2. If the number has exactly two factors (1 and itself), it is a prime number.
3. If the number has more than two factors, it is a composite number.

(Note: The number 1 is neither prime nor composite because it has only one factor.)