composite numbers

Composite numbers are positive integers greater than one that have more than two distinct positive divisors. This means they can be divided evenly by numbers other than just one and themselves. For example, the number 6 is composite because it can be divided by 1, 2, 3, and 6. In contrast, prime numbers have exactly two divisors: 1 and the number itself. Composite numbers include 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10, among others. They play an important role in number theory and mathematics, particularly in areas like factoring and understanding numerical patterns.