Last updated on May 26th, 2025
The numbers that have only two factors, which are 1 and itself, are called prime numbers. For encryption, computer algorithms, and barcode generation, prime numbers are used. In this topic, we will be discussing whether 857 is a prime number or not.
There are two types of numbers, mostly — prime numbers and composite numbers, depending on the number of factors. A prime number is a natural number that is divisible only by 1 and itself. For example, 3 is a prime number because it is divisible by 1 and itself. A composite number is a positive number that is divisible by more than two numbers. For example, 6 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, and 6, making it a composite number. Prime numbers follow a few properties like: - Prime numbers are positive numbers always greater than 1. - 2 is the only even prime number. - They have only two factors: 1 and the number itself. - Any two distinct prime numbers are co-prime numbers because they have only one common factor, which is 1. As 857 has more than two factors, it is not a prime number.
The characteristic of a prime number is that it has only two divisors: 1 and itself. Since 857 has more than two factors, it is not a prime number. A few methods are used to distinguish between prime and composite numbers. A few methods are: - Counting Divisors Method - Divisibility Test - Prime Number Chart - Prime Factorization
The method in which we count the number of divisors to categorize the numbers as prime or composite is called the counting divisors method. Based on the count of the divisors, we categorize prime and composite numbers. - If there is a total count of only 2 divisors, then the number would be prime. - If the count is more than 2, then the number is composite. Let’s check whether 857 is prime or composite. Step 1: All numbers are divisible by 1 and itself. Step 2: Divide 857 by 2. It is not divisible by 2, so 2 is not a factor of 857. Step 3: Divide 857 by 3. The sum of the digits is 20, which is not divisible by 3, so 3 is not a factor. Step 4: You can simplify checking divisors up to 857 by finding the square root value. We then need to only check divisors up to the square root value. Step 5: When we divide 857 by 11, it is divisible, so 11 is a factor. Since 857 has more than 2 divisors, it is a composite number.
We use a set of rules to check whether a number is divisible by another number completely or not. It is called the Divisibility Test Method. - Divisibility by 2: 857 is an odd number, so it is not divisible by 2. - Divisibility by 3: The sum of the digits in 857 is 20. Since 20 is not divisible by 3, 857 is also not divisible by 3. - Divisibility by 5: The unit’s place digit is 7. Therefore, 857 is not divisible by 5. - Divisibility by 7: Using divisibility rules, 857 is not divisible by 7. - Divisibility by 11: When applying the divisibility rule for 11, 857 is divisible by 11. Since 857 is divisible by 11, it has more than two factors. Therefore, it is a composite number.
The prime number chart is a tool created by using a method called “The Sieve of Eratosthenes.” In this method, we follow the following steps. Step 1: Write numbers from 1 to a limit in rows and columns. Step 2: Leave 1 without coloring or crossing because it is neither prime nor composite. Step 3: Mark 2 because it is a prime number and cross out all the multiples of 2. Step 4: Mark 3 because it is a prime number and cross out all the multiples of 3. Step 5: Repeat this process until you have a table consisting of marked and crossed boxes, except 1. Through this process, we will have a list of prime numbers up to a certain limit. 857 is not present in the list of prime numbers, so it is a composite number.
Prime factorization is a process of breaking down a number into prime factors. Then multiply those factors to obtain the original number. Step 1: We can write 857 as 11 × 7 × 11. Step 2: Now we get the product consisting of only prime numbers. Hence, the prime factorization of 857 is 11 × 7 × 11.
Children might have some misconceptions about prime numbers when they are learning about them. Here are some mistakes that might be made by children.
- Composite numbers: Natural numbers greater than 1 that are divisible by more than 2 numbers are called composite numbers. For example, 12 is a composite number because 12 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. - Prime numbers: Natural numbers greater than 1 that have no divisors other than 1 and itself. For example, 5 is a prime number. - Divisibility rules: A set of rules that help determine if a number is divisible by another without performing the division. For example, a number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. - Factors: The numbers that divide a number exactly without leaving a remainder are called factors. For example, the factors of 4 are 1, 2, and 4 because they divide 4 completely. - Prime factorization: Expressing a number as the product of its prime factors. For example, the prime factorization of 18 is 2 × 3 × 3.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.