What do you call a whole number that has exactly two factors, 1 and itself?

Get ready for the MCA Math Vocabulary Test with our quiz. Study with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with helpful hints and explanations. Ace your test with confidence!

Multiple Choice

What do you call a whole number that has exactly two factors, 1 and itself?

Explanation:
A whole number that has exactly two factors, 1 and itself, is called a prime number. This means you can’t break it into a product of two smaller whole numbers besides 1 and the number itself. For example, 2, 3, 5, and 7 only have 1 and themselves as factors. In contrast, a composite number has more than two factors (like 4, which has 1, 2, and 4). A natural number is any positive counting number, including 1, but 1 isn’t prime because it has only one factor. So the described property points to prime numbers.

A whole number that has exactly two factors, 1 and itself, is called a prime number. This means you can’t break it into a product of two smaller whole numbers besides 1 and the number itself. For example, 2, 3, 5, and 7 only have 1 and themselves as factors. In contrast, a composite number has more than two factors (like 4, which has 1, 2, and 4). A natural number is any positive counting number, including 1, but 1 isn’t prime because it has only one factor. So the described property points to prime numbers.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy