noun / adjective
prime
A whole number greater than one divisible only by itself and one.
Seven is a prime because its only positive divisors are one and seven.
Etymology
The source means first. Prime numbers function as basic building blocks in multiplication, since they cannot be factored into smaller positive integers other than one.
More examples
- Two is the only even prime.
- Eleven and thirteen are prime numbers.
- Nine is not prime because three divides it evenly.
Forms
prime · primes
primality noun — The property of being a prime number.
Similar words
- prime number
- Names the same kind of number more explicitly.