To which subset of real numbers does the number 12 belong? (Hint: there may be more than one)?
The number 12 belongs to several subsets of real numbers. It belongs to the following subsets:
1. Natural numbers: The set of all positive integers including zero. Since 12 is a positive integer, it is a natural number.
2. Whole numbers: The set of all positive integers including zero. 12 is a positive integer, so it is also a whole number.
3. Integers: The set of all positive and negative whole numbers including zero. 12 is a positive integer, so it is also an integer.
4. Rational numbers: The set of all numbers that can be expressed as a fraction p/q, where p and q are integers and q is not equal to zero. 12 can be expressed as 12/1, so it is a rational number.
5. Real numbers: The set of all numbers on the number line, including both rational and irrational numbers. 12 is a real number.
6. Even numbers: The set of all integers that are divisible by 2. 12 is divisible by 2, so it is an even number.
7. Composite numbers: The set of all positive integers that have more than two distinct positive divisors. 12 has divisors 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 (a total of 6 divisors), so it is a composite number.
Therefore, the number 12 belongs to the subsets of natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, even numbers, and composite numbers.