Consider the numbers 13 16 27 and 41 which of these numbers are prime how do you know which of these numbers are composite how do you know

To determine whether the numbers 13, 16, 27, and 41 are prime or composite, we first need to recall the definitions:

- A **prime number** is a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself.
- A **composite number** is a natural number greater than 1 that has more than two positive divisors.

Now, let's analyze each number:

1. **13**
- Divisors: 1, 13
- Since 13 has only two positive divisors (1 and itself), it is a prime number.

2. **16**
- Divisors: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16
- Since 16 has more than two positive divisors, it is a composite number.

3. **27**
- Divisors: 1, 3, 9, 27
- Since 27 also has more than two positive divisors, it is a composite number.

4. **41**
- Divisors: 1, 41
- Since 41 has only two positive divisors (1 and itself), it is a prime number.

### Summary:
- **Prime numbers**: 13, 41
- **Composite numbers**: 16, 27

This classification was made by checking the number of positive divisors for each of the numbers.