I think that 1 isn't prime. Think of a triangle that stretches infinitely with 2 numbers at the bottom (Its upside down) add one and it collapses. I don't think it makes much sense but I had it in a dream and I can't remember it much.
2006-09-03 23:46:16 · 19 answers · asked by geode_diamond_soul 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Well, yes. It is unique because it's one but everything! Lol!
2006-09-03 23:59:50 · update #1
I don't quite understand your dream, but you are right that 1 is not a prime. If you want a triangle, you could have it like this: The number is the apex, the two factors are at the base. Rectangular numbers will give you several different triangles, but prime numbers give you only one triangle, it is an isosceles triangle, with one vertex as 1. The other two vertices have the number itself.
I've put the triangle "on its side".
Usually we think in terms of rectangles rather than triangles. A prime number can only make one rectangle, IE a one by x rectangle. However we include squares as part of the set of rectangles, but have to explicitly exclude 1.
1 has to be excluded because it is the identity under multiplication, and divides everything. If it is included, the whole system collapses.
2006-09-04 00:12:12 · answer #1 · answered by hi_patia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The role of prime numbers is in factorization of composite numbers. For example, 12 has a unique prime factorization, namely 2*2*3.
If 1 was considered a prime, prime factorizations would no longer be unique as 12 could also be written 1*2*2*3, 1*1*2*2*3 etc. Therefore, it makes sense not to consider 1 a prime.
2006-09-04 09:00:58 · answer #2 · answered by helene_thygesen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any number that can only be divided by itself it´s a prime! It´s a basic rule of the primes.The number "1" fits in that rule. So no matter what anyone think or dreams, "1" will be forever a prime! On the other hand, "1" it´s a unique number, because for the other primes "1" it´s forbidden as a divisor, because obviously "1" will "divide" any other number. Only numbers above 2 are accepted in those cases.
2006-09-04 07:07:50 · answer #3 · answered by Frajola 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, mathematically, 1 is not considered to be a prime because its only factor is itself. It really depends on the definition, and presently, the definition is this: a prime number p is a positive integer having exactly one positive divisor other than 1.
So the 'other than one' cancels out 1 as a prime number.
2006-09-04 06:59:16 · answer #4 · answered by Emily K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there,
You are indeed correct. 1 is not classed as a prime number. The first prime is 2.
2006-09-04 07:03:40 · answer #5 · answered by jon_riley2003 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mathematical rule for defining a prime number is that the number is only divisible by itself and 1. In mathematical logic 'and' is exclusive and thus 1 is not prime because by the definition of 'and' it cannot be divisible by 1 and itself, because itself is 1.
2006-09-04 14:39:12 · answer #6 · answered by Rebecca G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 is not prime. If it was, we would not have the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, that the prime decomposition of an integer greater than 1 is unique. It would no longer be unique because it could include 1 raised to an arbitrary power.
2006-09-04 11:38:29 · answer #7 · answered by bh8153 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 is not prime. Prime numbers have two factors, no more, no less. 1 has only one factor, so it is not prime.
In higher mathematics (which I studied once, but have forgotten since) many rules/theories involving prime numbers don't work with the number 1, so for convenience mathematicians have decided that 1 is not prime.
2006-09-04 13:46:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By convention, 1 is not prime. Otherwise, many theorems in number theory would have to be stated 'except for the number 1.'
2006-09-04 16:04:27 · answer #9 · answered by williamh772 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 isn't prime as prime numbers are divisible by 2 numbers, 1 AND itself.
2006-09-04 21:49:29 · answer #10 · answered by Kemmy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋