Definition & Details
A **prime number** is a special kind of whole number. For a number to be prime, it must meet two conditions:
- It must be greater than 1.
- It must only be divisible by 1 and itself, with no other numbers dividing it evenly.
Think of it as a number that can't be broken down into smaller whole number multiplication pairs, other than 1 times itself.
Examples
- 2: Only divisible by 1 and 2. (The smallest and only even prime number!)
- 3: Only divisible by 1 and 3.
- 5: Only divisible by 1 and 5.
- 7: Only divisible by 1 and 7.
- 11: Only divisible by 1 and 11.
- 13: Only divisible by 1 and 13.
Synonyms
While there aren't direct synonyms for "prime number," the concept is often contrasted with "composite number."
Fun Fact!
The number 2 is the only even prime number. All other even numbers are divisible by 2, and therefore have at least three divisors (1, 2, and themselves), making them composite.
Mathematicians have proven that there are infinitely many prime numbers – they never run out!