NumberKS3 / GCSE

Recognising prime numbers

Decide whether a whole number is prime.

  • A prime number has exactly two positive factors: 1 and itself.
  • The number 1 is not prime. The only even prime is 2.
  • Test prime divisors up to the square root of the number.

Example 1

Is this a prime number? Explain your answer.

None of 2, 3, 5 divides 29 exactly.

Example 2

Is this a prime number? Explain your answer.

49 has a factor other than 1 and itself.

Remember
Test prime divisors up to the square root of the number.

Your turn

Question 1

Is this a prime number? Explain your answer.

Check answer

None of 2, 3, 5, 7 divides 113 exactly.

Question 2

Is this a prime number? Explain your answer.

Check answer

128 has a factor other than 1 and itself.

Question 3

Is this a prime number? Explain your answer.

Check answer

78 has a factor other than 1 and itself.

Question 4

Is this a prime number? Explain your answer.

Check answer

86 has a factor other than 1 and itself.

Question 5

Is this a prime number? Explain your answer.

Check answer

98 has a factor other than 1 and itself.