Smallest composite number – Explanation
4 is the smallest composite number and in this article, we are going to understand how we found it out.
Finding the smallest composite number
Composite numbers are the natural numbers having more than two factors i.e., 1 and the number itself. For example : 6, 9, 10, etc.
Now we have to find out the smallest of these numbers.
Let us start with 1.
1 has only one factor. Hence it is neither prime nor composite in nature.
2 has two factors i.e., 1 and 2. Hence it is prime in nature.
3 also has two factors i.e., 1 and 3. Hence it is also prime in nature.
Let us now find out the factors of 4.
4 = 4 × 1
4 = 2 × 2
Factors of 4 = 1, 2 and 4.
Hence 4 is a composite number.
All the numbers less than 4 are not composite.
Hence 4 is the smallest composite number.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do you mean by a composite number?
Ans: If a number has any factors other than the number itself and 1, then the number is a composite number.
2. What do you mean by a prime number?
Ans: If a number has only two factors i.e., the number itself and 1, then the number is a prime number.
3. Why is 1 not the composite number?
Ans: 1 has only one factor. Hence it is neither prime nor composite in nature.
4. Which is the smallest prime number?
Ans: 2 is a prime number and it is the smallest among all other prime numbers.
5 Are even numbers composite in nature?
Ans: All even numbers are composite numbers having more than two factors except 2. 2 has only two factors.
6. Find a prime number that is also an even number?
Ans: 2 has two factors i.e., 1 and 2. Hence it is prime in nature. It is also an even number.