Explain why is a composite number.
Answer
It equals , which has factors other than and itself, so it is composite.
The correct answer is It equals , which has factors other than and itself, so it is composite. — Therefore is composite.
Step-by-step solution
- Look for a factor common to both terms. Both and contain .
- Take out as a common factor: .
- Simplify inside the bracket: .
- So the number is .
- A composite number is one with at least one factor other than and itself. Here both and are such factors.
- Therefore is composite.
Common mistake: Multiplying everything out to first and then hunting for factors. Taking the common factor out immediately gives the answer in one step.
Concept tested: Composite numbers and factorisation
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