Which type of number can be divided evenly by itself and by 1, but not by any other number?

Which type of number can be divided evenly by itself and by 1, but not by any other number?

• A. Composite number
• B. Prime number
• C. Whole number
• D. Negative number

Answer: (B)

A prime number is defined as a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. This means that prime numbers can be divided evenly by only these two numbers. For instance, the number 5 can be divided by 1 and 5, yielding whole numbers (1 and 5), but it cannot be divided evenly by any other integers, such as 2, 3, or 4. On the other hand, composite numbers have more than two distinct positive divisors. For example, the number 6 can be divided evenly by 1, 2, 3, and 6, which disqualifies it from being considered a prime number. Whole numbers include both prime and composite numbers, as well as zero, which does not fit the definition of a prime number. Lastly, negative numbers can also be divided by 1 and themselves; however, they do not meet the requirement of being greater than 1, which is essential for identifying primes. Therefore, focusing on the property of being divisible only by 1 and itself confirms that the correct answer is a prime number.

A prime number is defined as a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. This means that prime numbers can be divided evenly by only these two numbers. For instance, the number 5 can be divided by 1 and 5, yielding whole numbers (1 and 5), but it cannot be divided evenly by any other integers, such as 2, 3, or 4.

On the other hand, composite numbers have more than two distinct positive divisors. For example, the number 6 can be divided evenly by 1, 2, 3, and 6, which disqualifies it from being considered a prime number. Whole numbers include both prime and composite numbers, as well as zero, which does not fit the definition of a prime number. Lastly, negative numbers can also be divided by 1 and themselves; however, they do not meet the requirement of being greater than 1, which is essential for identifying primes. Therefore, focusing on the property of being divisible only by 1 and itself confirms that the correct answer is a prime number.