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Because while 1 is not composite because it cannot be divided by anything other than 1, 1 cannot be prime either. A Prime number by definition is a number that cannot be defined by anything other than 1 and itself. However, 1 is, in fact, 1 and is only divisible by 1 (which is itself). Because of this paradox and the breaking of the technicality of the rule, 1 is simply considered not prime or composite in order to not create confusion.

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A prime number is a number with just two factors. A composite number is a number with more than two factors. Since the number 1 has just a single factor, 1, it is neither prime nor composite.

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15y ago
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Q: Explain why the number 1 is neither prime or composite?
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