Skip to content
< Back to Lessons
🔑🔑

WHAT ARE PRIMES?

Discover prime numbers - numbers with exactly two factors.

L4L5
Section 1 / 2
WHAT IS A PRIME NUMBER?

A prime number has exactly two factors: 1 and itself. That means no other number divides into it evenly. 7 is prime because only 1 × 7 = 7. But 6 is not prime because 1 × 6, 2 × 3 all make 6 - it has four factors.

Is 7 prime?
1Factors of 7: only 1 and 7
2Exactly 2 factors > Prime!
= yes
Is 6 prime?
1Factors of 6: 1, 2, 3, 6
2More than 2 factors > Not prime
= no

LEADER TIP

Every number is either prime or composite (except 1). Use factor rectangles - primes can only make a single row.

PRACTICE WITH THESE GAMES

🔎Prime Hunt🔍Factor Finder

Want more practice? Generate printable worksheets with similar problems.

Go to Worksheets

CONTINUE WITH:

🔎Sieve of Eratosthenes🧩Factors & Primes

What would you like to share?

Sending as guest

Randomizer