0
The definition of a Prime number is a natural number that has exactly two distinct natural number divisors. And the definition of a composite number is a natural number that has more than two finite, distinct natural number divisors.
The number one has just one natural number divisor (1), thus it doesn't fit in either category. Zero has an infinite number of natural number divisors, thus it doesn't either.
But why is it important for 1 not to be a prime number? It's not just a matter of nitpicking. If 1 is not a prime number, then any composite number (such as 12) can be written as a product of primes in only one way (here, 2*2*3), not counting different orders. However, if 1 were a prime number, there would be infinitely many ways! We could write 12 for example, as 2*2*3, or 1*2*2*3, or 1*1*1*1*1*2*2*3. Having only one way to write a number as a product of primes is very useful when doing math.
The Unique-Prime-Factorization Theorem is so useful, that it is also called the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Is zero a prime or composite?
Zero is neither (anyone can type a random answer you know) But zero is neither prime nor composite
Is zero a prime composite or a Neither?
0 is neither a prime nor a composite number.
Which are the numbers that are neither prime nor composite?
Zero and one.
Is 0 a composite?
No. Zero isn't a number. It's a placeholder. Therefore, it can be neither composite nor prime.
Which whole number is neither prime nor composite?
One is neither a prime nor a composite number. A prime number is one with exactly two positive divisors, itself and one. One has only one positive divisor which is itself so it is not prime. Furthermore, it cannot be written as a product of two factors, neither of which is itself. This tells us that one is also not composite. The other number which is neither prime not composite is Zero which has an infinite number of divisors since any nonzero whole number divides zero. Zero cannot be be written as a product of two factors, neither of which is itself, so zero is also not composite.
Why is zero said to be a composite number?
Zero is neither composite nor prime.
Why is zero and one not considered prime neither composite?
Both zero and one are considered neither prime nor composite.
If zero is not prime or composite what is it?
There is no name for numbers which are neither prime nor composite.
Is zero a prime or composite?
Zero is neither (anyone can type a random answer you know) But zero is neither prime nor composite
Is 0 a prime or conpositve?
Zero is neither prime nor composite.
Is zero a prime composite or a Neither?
0 is neither a prime nor a composite number.
Which are the numbers that are neither prime nor composite?
Zero and one.
Are there any numbers that are neither prime or composite?
Zero and one are neither composite nor prime.
What is neither a prime nor a composite number?
It is 1 that is neither a prime or a composite number The number 1 is neither prime nor composite.
Is 0 prime or composite?
zero is not prime or compositeIt is neither prime nor composite. See the link.
Is 0 a composite?
No. Zero isn't a number. It's a placeholder. Therefore, it can be neither composite nor prime.
Is zero prime composite or neither?
is a composite number. A prime number has only 2 factors which are 1 and itself. Composite numbers are everything else except 1 and 0. 1 and 0 are neither prime, nor composite.
