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Prime Number definition, examples
How to determine if number is prime, common misconceptions
Definition: A prime number is a number whose only factors are 1 and itself. That means there is no whole number that evenly divides the prime number.
Some often-confused facts about prime numbers
- Zero is not a prime a number
- The number one, 1, is also not a prime number. Although the definition of a prime number seems to apply to 1, you have to count 1 twice --sorry no 'double dipping' for prime numbers. 1 is not prime.
- The only even prime number is 2, because all of the other prime numbers are multiples of 2 and therefore violate the definition of a prime number (only divisible by 1 and itself)
To determine whether or not a number is prime all that you have to do is find any integer that evenly divides the number in question (not counting 1 and the given number). Use Math Warehouse's Calculator to determine if any number is prime.
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