Prime numbers are natural numbers that are divisible by only 1 and the number itself. In other words, prime numbers are positive integers greater than 1 with exactly two factors, 1 and the number itself. Some of the prime numbers include 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, etc. Always remember that 1 is neither prime nor composite. Thus, all prime numbers are greater than 1. Also, we can say that except for 1, the remaining numbers are classified as prime and composite numbers. In this article, you will learn the meaning and definition of prime numbers, their history, properties,  prime numbers list and chart, the difference between prime numbers and composite numbers, how to find the prime numbers using formulas along with examples.

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What are Prime Numbers?

A prime number is a positive integer having exactly two factors. If p is a prime, then its only factors are necessarily 1 and p itself. Any number that does not follow this is termed a composite number, which can be factored into other positive integers. Another way of defining it is a positive number or integer, which is not a product of any other two positive integers other than 1 and the number itself. 

First Ten Prime Numbers

The first ten primes are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29.

Note: It should be noted that 1 is a non-prime number. It is a unique number.

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History of Prime Numbers

The prime number was discovered by Eratosthenes (275-194 B.C., Greece). He took the example of a sieve to filter out the prime numbers from a list of natural numbers and drain out the composite numbers.

Students can practise this method by writing the positive integers from 1 to 100, circling the prime numbers, and putting a cross mark on composites. This kind of activity refers to the Sieve of Eratosthenes.

Properties of Prime Numbers

Some of the properties of prime numbers are listed below:

• Every number greater than 1 can be divided by at least one prime number.
• Every even positive integer greater than 2 can be expressed as the sum of two primes.
• Except 2, all other prime numbers are odd. In other words, we can say that 2 is the only even prime number.
• Two prime numbers are always coprime to each other.
• Each composite number can be factored into prime factors and individually all of these are unique in nature.

Prime Numbers Chart

Before calculators and computers, numerical tables were used for recording all of the primes or prime factorizations up to a specified limit and are usually printed. The most beloved method for producing a list of prime numbers is called the sieve of Eratosthenes. This method results in a chart called Eratosthenes chart, as given below. The chart below shows the prime numbers up to 100, represented in coloured boxes.

List of Prime Numbers 1 to 100

There are several primes in the number system. As we know, the prime numbers are the numbers that have only two factors which are 1 and the number itself. 

The list of prime numbers from 1 to 100 are given below:

Thus, there are 25 prime numbers between 1 and 100.

Prime Numbers 1 to 200

Here is the list of prime numbers from 1 to 200, which we can learn and crosscheck if there are any other factors for them.

Prime Numbers 1 to 1000

There are a total of 168 prime numbers between 1 to 1000. They are:

Also, get the list of prime numbers from 1 to 1000 along with detailed factors here.

Facts About Prime Numbers

The table below shows the important points about prime numbers. These will help you to solve many problems in mathematics.

Click here to learn more about twin prime numbers.

How to Find Prime Numbers?

The following two methods will help you to find whether the given number is a prime or not.
Method 1:
We know that 2 is the only even prime number. And only two consecutive natural numbers which are prime are 2 and 3. Apart from those, every prime number can be written in the form of 6n + 1 or 6n – 1 (except the multiples of prime numbers, i.e. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11), where n is a natural number.
For example:
6(1) – 1 = 5
6(1) + 1 = 7
6(2) – 1 = 11
6(2) + 1 = 13
6(3) – 1 = 17
6(3) + 1 = 19
6(4) – 1 = 23
6(4) + 1 = 25 (multiple of 5)
…
Method 2:
To know the prime numbers greater than 40, the below formula can be used.
n² + n + 41, where n = 0, 1, 2, ….., 39
For example:
(0)² + 0 + 0 = 41
(1)² + 1 + 41 = 43
(2)² + 2 + 41 = 47
…..

Is 1 a Prime Number?

Conferring to the definition of the prime number, which states that a number should have exactly two factors for it to be considered a prime number. But, number 1 has one and only one factor which is 1 itself. Thus, 1 is not considered a Prime number.

Examples: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, etc.

In all the positive integers given above, all are either divisible by 1 or itself, i.e. precisely two positive integers.

Video Lesson on Prime Numbers

Prime Numbers vs Composite Numbers

A few differences between prime numbers and composite numbers are tabulated below:

Prime Numbers Related Articles

Solved Examples on Prime Numbers

Example 1:

Is 10 a Prime Number?

Solution:

No, because it can be divided evenly by 2 or 5, 2×5=10, as well as by 1 and 10.

Alternatively,

Using method 1, let us write in the form of 6n ± 1. 

10 = 6(1) + 4 = 6(2) – 2

This is not of the form 6n + 1 or 6n – 1.

Hence, 10 is not a prime number.

Example 2:

Is 19 a Prime Number?

Solution:

Let us write the given number in the form of 6n ± 1.
6(3) + 1 = 18 + 1 = 19
Therefore, 19 is a prime number.

Example 3:

Find if 53 is a prime number or not.

Solution:

The only factors of 53 are 1 and 53.

Or

Let us write the given number in the form of 6n ± 1.

6(9) – 1 = 54 – 1 = 53

So, 53 is a prime number.

Example 4:

Check if 64 is a prime number or not.

Solution:

The factors of 64 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64.

It has factors other than 1 and 64.

Hence, it is a composite number and not a prime number.

Example 5: 

Which is the greatest prime number between 1 to 10?

Solution:

As we know, the first 5 prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11.

There are 4 prime numbers between 1 and 10 and the greatest prime number between 1 and 10 is 7.

Practice Problems

1. Identify the prime numbers from the following numbers:
   34, 27, 29, 41, 67, 83
2. Which of the following is not a prime number?
   2, 19, 91, 57
3. Write the prime numbers less than 50.

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