What is Composite Number? Definition, Meaning & Example
A natural number greater than 1 that has at least one positive divisor other than 1 and itself.
TL;DR: A natural number greater than 1 that has at least one positive divisor other than 1 and itself.
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
Composite Number: A natural number greater than 1 that has at least one positive divisor other than 1 and itself.
Explanation
Composite numbers can be factored into smaller natural numbers. They are the opposite of prime numbers. Examples include 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 15. Every composite number can be expressed as a product of prime numbers in a unique way. For example, 12 = 2 x 2 x 3. The smallest composite number is 4. Understanding composite numbers helps in finding greatest common divisors and least common multiples, which are important for solving fraction problems. Every natural number greater than 1 is either prime or composite.
Example
The number 12 is composite because it can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. The prime factorization of 12 is 2 x 2 x 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every even number composite?
No, the number 2 is even and prime. All even numbers greater than 2 are composite.
What is the relationship between primes and composites?
Every natural number greater than 1 is either prime or composite. Primes cannot be factored, while composites are products of primes.
More Maths Terms
🤖 Stuck on any of these? Ask Syllab's free AI Tutor to explain step by step →