BECE Mathematics 2026 Paper

Concept:A prime number has exactly two factors (1 and itself). A composite number has more than two factors. So the number that is not composite here is the prime one.Solution:Test each option for a factor other than 1 and itself:24: even, $24 = 2 \times 12$, so composite.41: not divisible by 2, 3, 5 (and $7 \times 7 = 49 > 41$, so no need to test further). Its only factors are 1 and 41, so it is prime.39: digit sum $3 + 9 = 12$ is divisible by 3, $39 = 3 \times 13$, so composite.65: ends in 5, $65 = 5 \times 13$, so composite.Only 41 is not composite.Answer:Option B (41)