How is a prime number defined?

Prepare for the TEAS Nursing Entrance Exam with comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to ensure you ace your test and start your nursing career.

A prime number is defined as a natural number greater than one that has no positive divisors other than one and itself. This means that a prime number can only be divided evenly (without leaving a remainder) by the number one and the number itself. This definition distinguishes prime numbers from composite numbers, which have more than two positive divisors. For example, the number 5 is prime because the only factors are 1 and 5, whereas the number 6 is not prime because it has factors of 1, 2, 3, and 6. This criterion of divisibility by only two distinct positive numbers is what identifies a number as prime. Therefore, the choice that describes this specific definition accurately is the one that states the condition of divisibility by only itself and one.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy