FTCE General Knowledge Math Practice Test

What is the name given to whole numbers greater than 1 that are not prime?

1. Even numbers

2. Composite numbers

3. Natural numbers

4. Whole numbers

The correct answer is: Composite numbers

The appropriate term for whole numbers greater than 1 that are not prime is composite numbers. Composite numbers are defined as numbers that have more than two distinct positive divisors—this means they can be divided evenly by numbers other than just 1 and themselves. For example, the number 4 is a composite number because it can be divided evenly by 1, 2, and 4. On the other hand, even numbers refer specifically to integers that can be divided by 2 without a remainder, such as 2, 4, and 6. While some even numbers are composite, the term itself does not encompass all composite numbers. Natural numbers include all positive integers starting from 1, but do not specify whether the numbers are prime or composite, thus making it a broader category than the one defined in the question. Whole numbers include all natural numbers plus zero, which again does not narrow down to the definition sought. Therefore, composite numbers is the precise term that fits the criteria of whole numbers greater than 1 that are not prime, highlighting numbers like 4, 6, 8, 9, and so forth, which all have additional factors beyond just 1 and themselves.