Question
What are prime numbers
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Prime numbers are natural numbers greater than 1 that have no positive divisors other than 1 and themselves. This means that a prime number can only be divided evenly (without leaving a remainder) by 1 and the number itself.
For example, the first few prime numbers are:
- 2 (the only even prime number)
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 11
- 13
- 17
- 19
- 23
- 29
In contrast, composite numbers are natural numbers greater than 1 that are not prime, meaning they have additional divisors. For example, 4, 6, 8, and 9 are composite numbers because they can be divided evenly by numbers other than 1 and themselves.
The concept of prime numbers is fundamental in number theory and has important applications in various fields, including cryptography.
For example, the first few prime numbers are:
- 2 (the only even prime number)
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 11
- 13
- 17
- 19
- 23
- 29
In contrast, composite numbers are natural numbers greater than 1 that are not prime, meaning they have additional divisors. For example, 4, 6, 8, and 9 are composite numbers because they can be divided evenly by numbers other than 1 and themselves.
The concept of prime numbers is fundamental in number theory and has important applications in various fields, including cryptography.