The number 58 is classified as a composite number because it has divisors other than 1 and itself. Specifically, it can be divided evenly by 2 and 29, making its factors 1, 2, 29, and 58. This means that 58 can be expressed as the product of these factors, such as 2 × 29. In the context of mathematics, composite numbers are those that have more than two distinct positive divisors. This is in contrast to prime numbers, which have exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and the number itself. Understanding composite numbers like 58 is essential in number theory and various applications in mathematics.