1. The problem asks to identify whether the number 16 is prime or composite. 2. A prime number is a number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. 3. A composite number is a number greater than 1 that has at least one positive divisor other than 1 and itself. 4. To determine if 16 is prime or composite, check its divisors. 5. The divisors of 16 are 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16. 6. Since 16 has divisors other than 1 and itself, it is composite. 7. Therefore, the number 16 is composite.