Workkeys Math Practice Test

A prime number is defined as a whole number greater than 1 that has exactly two distinct positive factors: 1 and itself. This means that a prime number can only be divided evenly by these two numbers, signifying its indivisibility by any other whole numbers. For instance, the number 5 is a prime because it can only be divided by 1 and 5 without leaving a remainder.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the definition of a prime number. For example, a number that can be divided by multiple factors would include composite numbers, which have more than two factors. Additionally, while natural numbers include positive integers, they do not specifically denote the exclusivity of prime numbers. Finally, an even number greater than 1 can include numbers like 2, which is prime, but also includes larger even numbers like 4, 6, and 8, none of which are prime because they have more than two factors. Thus, the classification of a prime number is strictly tied to the property of having just two distinct factors.