The number 28 is classified as a composite number. A prime number is defined as a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. In contrast, composite numbers are those which have divisors other than 1 and themselves.
In the case of 28, it can be divided evenly by 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28. The presence of these additional divisors means that 28 cannot be classified as prime. To illustrate, the factors of 28 are:
- 1 × 28 = 28
- 2 × 14 = 28
- 4 × 7 = 28
Since it has divisors besides 1 and 28, we conclude that 28 is a composite number.