A number is considered prime if it has exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself. In contrast, a composite number has more than two positive divisors.
To determine whether 121 is prime or composite, we can start by finding its divisors. The number 121 can be divided by 1 and 121, which are always divisors for any number. However, we also find that 121 can be divided by 11, since 11 x 11 = 121.
This means that 121 has three divisors: 1, 11, and 121. Because it has more than two positive divisors, we classify 121 as a composite number.