The numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are _________.

The numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are _________.

• A. Even numbers
• B. Natural numbers
• C. Composite numbers
• D. Prime numbers

Answer: (D)

Prime numbers are numbers greater than one that can only be divided evenly by 1 and themselves. Each number in the list has no divisors other than 1 and the number itself, so they are prime. Two is included and is the only even prime, showing that evenness isn’t what defines primality. They’re also natural numbers, since natural numbers are positive integers, but the defining feature here is that each has exactly two distinct divisors. They aren’t composite, because composite numbers have more than two divisors.

Prime numbers are numbers greater than one that can only be divided evenly by 1 and themselves. Each number in the list has no divisors other than 1 and the number itself, so they are prime. Two is included and is the only even prime, showing that evenness isn’t what defines primality. They’re also natural numbers, since natural numbers are positive integers, but the defining feature here is that each has exactly two distinct divisors. They aren’t composite, because composite numbers have more than two divisors.