what does a prime number mean in math? im helping my brother with hw...
2007-09-06 13:13:10 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
a number that can only be divided by itself and 1.
2007-09-06 13:20:13 · answer #1 · answered by Earhelp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prime numbers have exactly 2 factors .. 1 and itself.
For example, the first few prime numbers are:
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41 ...
None of these can be divided "nicely", except for by 1 or itself.
The other whole numbers (except for 1) are called composite numbers. They have at least 3 factors: 1, itself, and at least one more. These are NOT prime numbers.
4 can be divided by 1, 2, and 4 -- 3 factors
6 can be divided by 1, 2, 3, and 6 -- 4 factors
50 can be divided by 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 -- 6 factors
I hope this helps!
2007-09-06 20:20:43 · answer #2 · answered by math guy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A prime number is a number that is divisible only by 1 and itself.
2007-09-06 20:21:03 · answer #3 · answered by Shaula 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A prime number is an integer that is divisible only by itself and by one.
Examples: 3,5,7,11. Each of these numbers has no factor other than itself or one.
Not prime: 6,8,9. 6 = 2x3 and 8 = 2x2x2 and 9 = 3x3.
2007-09-06 20:20:26 · answer #4 · answered by PMP 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a prime number is any number that has no factors. in other words, there are no numbers you can multiply to get that number except for one and the number. ex: 5. the only numbers you can multiply to get 5 is one and 5. 6 is composite because you can multiply 2 and 3 to get 6.
2007-09-06 20:21:58 · answer #5 · answered by rosierose:) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a prime number has only itself and 1 as factors
example 13 is prime
only the factors 13 * 1 = 13
no other factors work
some examples of other prime numbers are
1,2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,27......
2007-09-06 20:22:49 · answer #6 · answered by Tommiecat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a number that can oly be divided by itself and 1 ex... 7, 13, 17
2007-09-06 20:22:56 · answer #7 · answered by king_grag 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋