Is 10 a composite number? This question often arises in discussions about prime and composite numbers. To understand whether 10 is a composite number, we need to delve into the definitions and properties of these two types of numbers.
In mathematics, a prime number is defined as a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. This means that prime numbers cannot be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers. On the other hand, a composite number is a natural number greater than 1 that can be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers. In other words, a composite number has at least one positive divisor other than 1 and itself.
Now, let’s analyze the number 10. The prime factorization of 10 is 2 x 5. Since 10 can be expressed as the product of two smaller natural numbers (2 and 5), it is not a prime number. Therefore, 10 is a composite number.
To further illustrate, we can list the factors of 10. The factors of 10 are 1, 2, 5, and 10. As we can see, 10 has more than two factors, which confirms that it is a composite number.
In conclusion, 10 is indeed a composite number. This is because it can be expressed as the product of two smaller natural numbers, and it has more than two factors. Understanding the properties of prime and composite numbers is crucial in various mathematical concepts and applications.
