prime numbers and composite numbers
Composite Numbers. Our next type of numbers are called composite numbers. A composite number is a number greater than 1 that can be divided by a number other than 1 and itself. Basically, composite numbers are positive numbers greater than 1 that are not prime numbers. Since 1 is a prime number, it is not a composite number. 2 is also a prime number, so it is not a composite number, either.
Prime numbers are a very special type of counting number (natural number). To be a prime number, the number must have exactly two distinct counting number (natural number) factors. Example: The value seven, 7, is a prime number because the only counting number factors are 1 and 7.