Question 6
Explain why and are composite numbers.
- A composite number is a positive integer greater than that has factors other than and itself (i.e., it can be written as a product of two or more integers greater than ).
- To show that each given expression is composite, we factor out a common integer to write the entire expression as a product of factors other than and the number itself.
Step 1 · Factorise the First Expression
Taking as a common factor
Since the given number has factors other than and itself (such as and ), it is a composite number.
Step 2 · Factorise the Second Expression
Taking as a common factor
Evaluating the product inside the bracket
Substituting this back
Since the number is expressed as the product of two factors and (which are both greater than ), it has factors other than and itself. Hence, it is a composite number.
Both and are composite numbers as they have factors other than and themselves.
- Arithmetic Error in Common Factors: Forgetting to include when taking the common factor out, e.g., incorrectly writing instead of .
- Misunderstanding Composite Definition: Confusing prime factors with any factors. A number is composite as long as it has any integer factor other than and itself.
More questions in Exercise 1.1
Express each number as a product of its prime factors:
(i) 140 (ii) 156 (iii) 3825 (iv) 5005 (v) 7429
Find the LCM and HCF of the following pairs of integers and verify that .
(i) 26 and 91
(ii) 510 and 92
(iii) 336 and 54
Find the LCM and HCF of the following integers by applying the prime factorisation method.
(i) 12, 15 and 21
(ii) 17, 23 and 29
(iii) 8, 9 and 25
Given that , find .
Check whether can end with the digit 0 for any natural number .
Explain why and are composite numbers.
There is a circular path around a sports field. Sonia takes 18 minutes to drive one round of the field, while Ravi takes 12 minutes for the same. Suppose they both start at the same point and at the same time, and go in the same direction. After how many minutes will they meet again at the starting point?