Which of the following numbers is a composite?
A)263
B)293
C)283
D)273

Options

A. 263
B. 293
C. 283
D. 273

Answer

To determine which of the given numbers is a composite number, we need to understand the definitions of prime and composite numbers.

1. **Definition of Prime and Composite Numbers**:
- A **prime number** has exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself.
- A **composite number** has more than two positive divisors.

2. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Option A: 263**
- Check if 263 is prime or composite.
- It is not divisible by 2 (it's odd), 3 (the sum of digits 2+6+3=11 is not divisible by 3), 5 (does not end in 0 or 5), 7 (263 ÷ 7 = 37.57, not an integer), 11 (263 ÷ 11 = 23.91, not an integer), and so on.
- After checking divisibility up to the square root of 263 (approximately 16.2), we find that 263 is a prime number.

- **Option B: 293**
- Check if 293 is prime or composite.
- Similar checks as above show that it is not divisible by 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, or 17.
- After checking, we find that 293 is also a prime number.

- **Option C: 283**
- Check if 283 is prime or composite.
- Again, check divisibility by the same primes. It is not divisible by 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, or 17.
- Thus, 283 is also a prime number.

- **Option D: 273**
- Check if 273 is prime or composite.
- Check divisibility: 273 is odd (not divisible by 2), but the sum of the digits (2 + 7 + 3 = 12) is divisible by 3.
- Therefore, 273 is divisible by 3 (273 ÷ 3 = 91), indicating that it has more than two factors.
- Thus, 273 is a composite number.

3. **Conclusion**:
- Among the options, the only composite number is **273**.

### Final Answer:
**D) 273 is a composite number.**