Final answer:
The number 127 can only be described as prime. It is not negative, not composite, and not irrational since it is a whole number greater than 1 with no divisors other than 1 and itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine which terms can be used to describe the number 127, let's examine each option given in the question:
- Negative: This term is used to describe numbers that are less than zero. Since 127 is greater than zero, it cannot be described as negative.
- Prime: A prime number is a number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. To check if 127 is prime, we would test for divisibility by numbers other than 1 and 127. Since no such divisors exist for 127, it is a prime number.
- Composite: A composite number is a number that has at least one positive divisor other than 1 and itself. As 127 does not have such divisors, it is not composite.
- Irrational: An irrational number is a number that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction. Since 127 is a whole number and can be expressed as 127/1, it is not irrational.
Thus, the term prime is the only correct descriptor for the number 127 among the provided options.