The number 32 is classified as a composite number because it has more than two positive divisors. Specifically, its divisors are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32. This means that 32 can be divided evenly by these numbers, unlike prime numbers, which have only two divisors: 1 and themselves. In terms of its mathematical properties, 32 is also notable for being a power of 2, as it can be expressed as 2^5. This characteristic makes it significant in various fields, including computer science, where binary systems often utilize powers of 2 for data representation.