Mathematics
is known as the mother of all other sciences because mathematics provides tool
to solve problems of other branches of science. While studying mathematics, we
have to deal with numbers. These numbers are divided into different categories
like rational
numbers, irrational numbers, natural numbers, even numbers, whole numbers, odd numbers, prime numbers and composite numbers. If we want to learn
mathematics effectively, we should learn these numbers. Its reason is that
these numbers provide us base to understand other concepts of mathematics.
Here, we will study full detail about prime numbers and composite numbers.
What are Prime Numbers?
Different
people define prime numbers in different ways. The most famous definitions of
the prime numbers are given below;
·
A
number which is divisible by ‘1’ and itself is known as a prime number. This
number should be greater than ‘1’. It means ‘1’ is not a prime number.
·
A
whole number which we can’t make by multiplying other whole numbers is known as
a prime number.
·
A
number which has only two factors is known as prime number.
Examples of Prime Numbers
Some
essential examples of the prime numbers are 2, 3 and 7 etc. These three
examples satisfy all the three definitions. It means 2, 3 and 7 are divisible
by ‘1’ and itself only, we can’t make 2, 3 and 7 by multiplying two whole
numbers and 2, 3 and 7 have two factors only.
What are Composite Numbers?
Like prime
numbers, there are also different definitions of the composite numbers. The
most famous definitions of the composite numbers are given below;
·
The
numbers which are divisible by ‘1’, by itself and by another number are known
as composite numbers. The composite numbers are also greater than ‘1’. It means
‘1’ is not a composite number.
·
A
whole number which is made by multiplying another whole number is known as a
composite number.
·
A
number which has more than two factors is known as a composite number. These
factors are ‘1’, the number itself and some other numbers.
Examples of Composite Numbers
4, 6 and 9
are three examples of composite numbers. These three examples of the composite
numbers also satisfy the above three definitions of the composite numbers. Its
reason is that 4, 6 and 9 are divisible by ‘1’, by itself and by another
number, we can make 4, 6 and 9 by multiplying two whole numbers and 4, 6 and 9
have more than two factors.
Relevant
Posts:
Most of the
students face lots of problems to differentiate between prime numbers and
composite numbers. According to experts, prime numbers and composite numbers
are opposite to each other. You just need to learn one of them. For example, if
you know the concept of prime numbers, you can also find other numbers. Its
reason is that after finding the prime numbers from the given set of numbers,
the remaining numbers will be composite numbers. Similarly, if you know the
basic concept of composite numbers, you can also find the prime numbers.
Is ‘1’ a Composite Number or a Prime Number?
In the
definitions, we have provided clear answer to this question but some students
have confusion about ‘1’ because they can’t decide either it is a prime number
or it is a composite number. For example, if we ask the students to write prime
numbers between 1 to 10, in the list of the prime numbers, they also write ‘1’.
Its reason is that they consider that it doesn’t have more than two factors.
They should know that ‘1’ is neither a prime number nor a composite number.
Therefore, you should not write it in the list of prime numbers or in the list
of composite numbers.
How to Determine if a Number is a Prime Number or a Composite Number?
After
understanding the basic definitions of prime numbers and composite numbers, the
next step is to determine either a number is a prime number or a composite
number. There are various ways to do this. The most important ways are
explained below;
·
Using Factorization
By finding
the prime factors of a number, you can easily know either a number is a prime
number or a composite number. We try to understand it with the help of
examples. Let us consider we have a number 27 and we have to find either it is
a prime number or a composite number. First, we find the factors of this
number. The factors of this number are 1, 3, 9 and 27. It means this number has
more than two factors. Therefore, it is a composite number. Similarly, if we
have a number 13, find either it is a prime number or a composite number. The
factors of this number are 1 and 13. As this number has only two factors,
therefore, it is a prime number. By following the same technique, you can
easily differentiate between prime and composite numbers.
·
Using the Calculator
You can also
find either a number is a prime number or a composite number by using
calculator. If the given number is an even number, it is a composite number
because an even number is divisible by 2. If a number is divisible by ‘1’,
itself and ‘2’, it means it has more than two factors. Therefore, it is a
composite number. We can also say that all the even numbers are also composite
numbers. On the other hand, if you have an odd number, you will have to use the
concept of divisibility to determine either it is a prime number or a composite
number. Let us consider, you have a number ‘39’. When you divide it on 2, you
will get answer 19.5 which is not a whole number. When you divide it on 3, you
will get answer 13 which is a whole number. This divisible test tells us that
39 has more than 2 factors. Therefore, it is also a composite number.
Key Points
Some key
points relevant to these two essential kinds of the numbers are given below;
·
We
use English alphabet ‘P’ to represent the set of Prime numbers.
·
We
use English alphabet ‘C’ to represent the set of Composite numbers.
·
‘1’
is not the element of prime and composite sets.
·
Prime
and composite numbers are opposite to each other.
·
All
the even numbers are also composite numbers but odd numbers can be prime or
composite.
Solution of the Questions Relevant to the Prime Numbers and Composite
Numbers
After
reading extensive discussion about these two essential types of numbers, you
can easily find out prime and composite numbers from a given set of numbers.
For this reason, we try to solve some problems.
1. Find prime numbers and composite
numbers between 55 and 75.
Prime
Numbers = 59, 61, 67, 71, 73
Composite
Numbers = 56, 57, 58, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72, 74
2. Find prime and composite numbers
between 16 to 24.
Prime
Numbers = 17, 19, 23
Composite
Numbers = 18, 20, 21, 22
3. Find 3 consecutive prime numbers just
below 33?
Prime
Numbers = 31, 29 and 23.
4. Find 4 consecutive composite numbers
just below 60?
Composite
Numbers = 58, 57, 56 and 55.
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