If 12 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12, what can be said about 12?

If 12 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12, what can be said about 12?

• A. It is a prime number
• B. It is an irrational number
• C. It is a composite number
• D. It is a whole number

Answer: (C)

The statement that 12 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 indicates that 12 has multiple factors. A prime number, by definition, has only two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself. Since 12 has more than two factors, it cannot be classified as a prime number. Furthermore, since 12 has factors other than itself and 1, it is classified as a composite number. Composite numbers are integers that have at least one divisor other than 1 and themselves. In the case of 12, the presence of factors like 2, 3, 4, and 6 confirms that it is indeed composite. While it's also true that 12 is a whole number, the distinguishing characteristic here is its divisibility and the presence of multiple factors, which specifically classifies it as a composite number.

The statement that 12 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 indicates that 12 has multiple factors. A prime number, by definition, has only two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself. Since 12 has more than two factors, it cannot be classified as a prime number.

Furthermore, since 12 has factors other than itself and 1, it is classified as a composite number. Composite numbers are integers that have at least one divisor other than 1 and themselves. In the case of 12, the presence of factors like 2, 3, 4, and 6 confirms that it is indeed composite.

While it's also true that 12 is a whole number, the distinguishing characteristic here is its divisibility and the presence of multiple factors, which specifically classifies it as a composite number.