Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Mathematics / Difference Between Prime and Composite Numbers

Difference Between Prime and Composite Numbers

May 26, 2011 Posted by Olivia

Prime vs Composite Numbers

Math can be fun for those who understand the concepts but it can be a nightmare for those who take it casually. This applies very well to prime and composite number concept which is quite simple and easy to understand. But those who cannot differentiate between these two types of numbers often fare miserably in their math exams. This article will highlight the differences between prime number and composite number so that they become clear in the minds of the readers.

Prime numbers

We know what are natural numbers, don’t we? All numbers from one onwards are called natural numbers and are written as

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…}

Now a Prime Number is a natural number that leaves no remainder when divided by either itself or one. Prime number is not divisible by any other except these two numbers. This implies that there are only two factors of a prime number as it is not divisible by any other number. Let us see through example.

7= 1 x  7

5= 1 x  5

11= 1 x 11

Composite Numbers

Any natural number which is divisible by any other number apart from one and itself is called a composite number. Let us take up examples.

9 is a number that is divisible by 3 apart from 9 and 1 which means that it is a composite number. The same can be said about 8, 10, 12, 15, 18 or other similar numbers as they are divisible by a number other than itself and 1.

Interestingly, except 2, all other prime numbers are odd numbers, for example, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, and so on. All integers greater than 2 and divisible by 2 are composite numbers. Similarly, though 5 is a prime number, all numbers ending in 5 and greater than 5 are composite numbers.

0 and 1 are neither prime nor composite numbers.

What is the difference between Prime and Composite Numbers

• All natural numbers that are divisible only by it and 1 are called prime numbers. This means they have no other factors apart from itself and one.

• All natural numbers that have at least one other factor apart from themselves and 1 are called composite numbers.

• 2 is the smallest prime number.

• All numbers ending in 5 and greater than 5 are composite numbers.

Related posts:

Difference Between Irrational and Rational Numbers Difference Between Series and Sequence Difference Between Probability and Chance Difference Between Variance and Standard Deviation Difference Between Altitude and Perpendicular Bisector

Filed Under: Mathematics Tagged With: composite number, composite numbers, natural number, prime number, prime numbers

About the Author: Olivia

Olivia is a Graduate in Electronic Engineering with HR, Training & Development background and has over 15 years of field experience.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between RIA and ELISA

Difference Between RIA and ELISA

Difference Between Alternate and Substitute

Difference Between Chimps and Humans

Difference Between Brain and Cerebrum

Difference Between Brain and Cerebrum

Difference Between Gap Junction and Tight Junction

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Avobenzone and Benzene
  • What is the Difference Between Tight Junction and Adherens Junction
  • What is the Difference Between Hemorrhagic Stroke and Aneurysm
  • What is the Difference Between Zakat and Sadaqah
  • What is the Difference Between Papules and Pustules
  • What is the Difference Between Ubiquinol and CoQ10
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.