In this number classification question, select the odd number from the following options: 43, 22, 13, 41.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 22

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is a straightforward test of your understanding of prime and composite numbers. The options given are 43, 22, 13 and 41. You are asked to select the odd number. In this context, three numbers share the property of being prime, while one is composite, so identifying that difference is the goal.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Numbers: 43, 22, 13, 41.
  • Prime numbers have exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and the number itself.
  • Composite numbers have more than two positive divisors.
  • Exactly one of the given numbers is composite, while the others are prime.


Concept / Approach:
To solve the problem, you must test each number for primality. For small numbers, it is sufficient to check divisibility by basic primes like 2, 3, 5 and 7. If a number is not divisible by any of these and is larger than 1, it is usually prime. The number that has extra divisors beyond 1 and itself will be composite and will be the odd one out in this set.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Check 43.43 is not divisible by 2 (it is odd), nor by 3 (4 + 3 = 7, not a multiple of 3), nor by 5 (it does not end in 0 or 5), nor by 7 (7 * 6 = 42, 7 * 7 = 49). Therefore 43 has no divisors other than 1 and 43 and is prime.Step 2: Check 13.13 is not divisible by 2, 3 or 5 and is a well-known small prime number.Step 3: Check 41.41 is not divisible by 2, 3, 5 or 7. It is also a known prime.Step 4: Check 22.22 is divisible by 2 (22 = 2 * 11) and also by 11, so it has divisors beyond 1 and itself. Therefore 22 is composite.Step 5: Identify the odd one out.Since 43, 13 and 41 are prime and 22 is composite, 22 is the odd number in this group.


Verification / Alternative check:
One quick visual hint is that any even number greater than 2 is automatically composite because it is divisible by 2. In the given options, 22 is the only even number and thus must be composite. The rest are odd, and a brief divisibility check confirms that they are prime. This simple shortcut helps to confirm that 22 is different from the others.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
43: A prime number with only two positive divisors, 1 and 43, so it is not the odd one out.
13: Also a prime number and therefore similar in nature to 43 and 41.
41: Another prime, sharing the same key property with 13 and 43.


Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may overcomplicate the problem by searching for patterns involving sums or differences between these numbers. However, this question is primarily about recognizing primes versus composites. Remember that any even number greater than 2 is composite, and using that fact can save time in many aptitude questions.


Final Answer:
The odd number out is 22 because it is composite, while 43, 13 and 41 are prime numbers.

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