A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself. This means it cannot be divided evenly by any number other than 1 and itself.
Examples of Prime Numbers:
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, …
Properties of Prime Numbers
- A prime number has only two factors: 1 and itself.
- The number 1 is NOT prime because it has only one factor.
- The smallest prime number is 2, and it is the only even prime.
- Every natural number greater than 1 is either prime or composite.
- Prime numbers are infinite (proved by Euclid around 300 BC).
Prime Number Project
