What is the difference between prime and composite numbers?

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Detailed Solution

The difference between prime and composite numbers comes down to how many factors (divisors) they have. Both are natural numbers greater than 1.

Here is a direct comparison:

Feature	Prime Numbers	Composite Numbers
Definition	A natural number greater than 1 with exactly two distinct factors: 1 and itself.	A natural number greater than 1 with more than two distinct factors.
Number of Factors	Exactly 2	3 or more
Examples	2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19...	4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15...
Example Breakdown (Factors of 12)	Not applicable.	The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 (six factors).
Example Breakdown (Factors of 7)	The factors of 7 are 1, 7 (exactly two factors).	Not applicable.

Key Summary

A prime number can only be made by multiplying 1 by itself. (e.g., 7 = 1 x 7)
A composite number can be made by multiplying 1 by itself, *and* by multiplying other numbers together. (e.g., 12 = 1 x 12, but also 2 x 6 and 3 x 4)

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