We can continue this process until we find a composite number that can’t be divided evenly by any other number. 1 is not a prime number because it can only be divided evenly by itself.
4 is a composite number because it can be divided evenly by 1, 2, and 4.
2 is a prime number because it can only be divided evenly by itself and 1. 6 is a composite number because it can be divided evenly by 1, 2, 3, and 6. We know that 12 is a composite number because it can be divided evenly by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. To find a prime number, you start with a composite number and keep dividing it by other numbers until you find a number that can’t be divided evenly anymore.įor example, let’s start with the number 12. A prime number is a number that can only be divided evenly by itself and 1.
Composite numbers are important in mathematics because they can be used to find prime numbers.
