Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT) Practice

Which is the primary characteristic of the number "2" in the context of numbers?

1. Even

2. Odd

3. Composite

4. Prime

The correct answer is: Even

The number "2" is characterized primarily as an even number, which means it is divisible by 2 without any remainder. When identifying if a number is even, one simply checks if it can be expressed as 2n, where n is an integer. In the case of 2, it can be expressed as 2 multiplied by 1 (2 × 1 = 2), confirming its status as an even number. Additionally, "2" has other notable properties; it is the only even prime number, which means that while it is also classified as prime, the distinguishing feature in this context arises from its evenness. Unlike odd numbers, which leave a remainder of 1 when divided by 2, or composite numbers that have more than two distinct positive divisors, "2" stands alone as the smallest and only even prime number. Understanding these characteristics provides a deeper insight into how numbers are categorized in mathematics, establishing clarity in distinguishing between even and odd, as well as prime and composite classifications.