What is a Prime Number? Definition and Examples.

A prime number is a whole number that has exactly two factors, the number 1 and itself.

This means that the number can only be divided by 1 and itself. The first 5 prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11.

How to check if a number is prime

7 = 1  × 7 and this is the only way we can factor 7. The factors of 7 are 1 and 7, so 7 is a prime number.

13 = 1  × 13 and this is the only way we can factor 13. The factors are 1 and 13, so 13 is a prime number.

Is 1 a prime number ?

The answer is no. Since 1 = 1  × 1, 1 has only one factor.

Is 2 the only even prime number?

The answer is yes.

The next even number after 2 is 4 and 4 has 3 factors (1, 2, and 4).

4 = 1 × 4 and 4 = 2 × 2

Is 0 is prime number?

The answer is no. Since 0 = 0 × 0, 0 has only one factor.