How is a composite number defined?

A composite number is defined as a whole number greater than 1 that has more than two factors. This means that in addition to having 1 and itself as factors, a composite number will have at least one additional factor, allowing it to be divided evenly by more than two distinct numbers. For example, the number 4 is composite because it can be divided evenly by 1, 2, and 4.

In contrast, the definition of a prime number involves having exactly two distinct factors: 1 and itself. Since composite numbers have more than those two, this distinction helps in identifying them clearly.

Other options provided do not appropriately describe composite numbers; they either misstate or redefine the fundamental characteristics of numbers. Hence, the correct choice captures the essence of composite numbers accurately, distinguishing them from prime numbers and other types of integers.