Definition

1. Noun:
   • A whole number greater than 1 that can be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers: A composite number is an integer that has at least one positive divisor other than 1 and itself. This means it is not a prime number.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The number 4 is a composite number because it can be divided by 1, 2, and 4.
  • In mathematics, students learn to distinguish between prime numbers and composite numbers.
  • 15 is a composite number since it equals 3 multiplied by 5.

Advanced Usage

• "to be composite": The adjective form used to describe such a number.
  • All even numbers greater than 2 are composite.
• "composite integer": A more formal synonym.
  • The theorem applies to all composite integers.

Variants and Related Words

• Composite (adj): Made up of various parts or elements; in mathematics, having factors other than 1 and itself.
  • The material has a composite structure. (General use)
  • A composite function in calculus. (Mathematics)
• Prime number (n): A whole number greater than 1 that has exactly two divisors: 1 and itself. This is the direct antonym in number theory.
  • 2, 3, and 5 are examples of prime numbers.

Synonyms

• Non-prime number: A number that is not prime. (Note: 1 is neither prime nor composite).
• Factorable number: A number that can be broken down into integer factors other than 1 and itself.

Related Phrases

• "To factor a composite number": To break it down into its prime factors.
  • The first step is to factor the composite number into primes.
• "Product of primes": The fundamental theorem of arithmetic states that every composite number can be expressed uniquely as a product of prime numbers.
  • Expressing a composite number as a product of primes is called prime factorization.

Noun

1. an integer that is divisible without remainder by at least one positive integer other than itself and one