Difference between revisions of "Composite number"

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Simply stated, a composite number is a [[positive integer]] with at least one [[divisor]] different from 1 and itself.  Some composite numbers are <math>4=2^2</math> and <math>12=2\times 6=3\times 4</math>.  
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A '''composite number''' is a [[positive integer]] with at least one [[divisor]] different from 1 and itself.  Some composite numbers are <math>4=2^2</math> and <math>12=2\times 6=3\times 4</math>.  
  
 
Note that the number one is neither prime nor composite. It follows that two is the only even [[prime number]], three is the only multiple of three that is prime, and so on.  
 
Note that the number one is neither prime nor composite. It follows that two is the only even [[prime number]], three is the only multiple of three that is prime, and so on.  

Revision as of 14:55, 29 June 2006

A composite number is a positive integer with at least one divisor different from 1 and itself. Some composite numbers are $4=2^2$ and $12=2\times 6=3\times 4$.

Note that the number one is neither prime nor composite. It follows that two is the only even prime number, three is the only multiple of three that is prime, and so on.

Every positive integer is prime, composite, or 1.

See also