Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Practice Test

What mathematical concept is used alongside factors to describe numbers that can be evenly divided?

1. Coefficients

2. Wholes

3. Divisors

4. Nominators

The correct answer is: Divisors

The concept of divisors is central to understanding how numbers can be evenly divided. A divisor is defined as a number that divides another number completely, without leaving a remainder. For instance, when examining the number 12, any integer that can produce a whole number when 12 is divided by it is considered a divisor of 12. Therefore, the divisors of 12 include 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. Not only do divisors help us understand the relationship between numbers, but they are also essential in various mathematical operations, such as simplifying fractions or finding the greatest common factor. In contrast, coefficients are associated with variables in algebra and do not pertain to the division of whole numbers. Wholes refer to whole numbers or integers without fractions or decimals but do not specifically relate to the concept of division. Nominators, which involve the top part of a fraction, also do not address the concept of division broadly. Understanding divisors enhances comprehension of how numbers interact in terms of divisibility, making them a fundamental concept in mathematics.