Question

What is the difference between the largest prime number less than 50 and the smallest composite number past ten?

a) 35
b) 36
c) 37
d) 38

Answer 1

The difference between the largest prime number less than 50 (47) and the smallest composite number past 10 (12) is 35.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the difference between the largest prime number less than 50 and the smallest composite number past 10, we first need to identify these numbers. The largest prime number less than 50 is 47 since prime numbers are numbers greater than 1 that have no divisors other than 1 and themselves. The smallest composite number past 10 is 12, as composite numbers are numbers that have more divisors than just 1 and themselves.

The difference between these two numbers is calculated as follows:

• Largest prime number less than 50: 47
• Smallest composite number past 10: 12
• Difference: 47 - 12 = 35

Therefore, the difference is 35, which corresponds to option (a).