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Last updated on April 29th, 2025

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Is 198 a Prime Number?

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The numbers that have only two factors, which are 1 and itself, are called prime numbers. Prime numbers are used in encryption, computer algorithms, and barcode generation. In this topic, we will be discussing whether 198 is a prime number or not.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Is 198 a Prime Number?

There are mainly two types of numbers:

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 that is 1.
     
  • As 198 has more than two factors, it is not a prime number.
    is 198 a prime number
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Why is 198 Not a Prime Number?

The characteristic of a prime number is that it has only two divisors: 1 and itself. Since 198 has more than two factors, it is not a prime number. A few methods are used to distinguish between prime and composite numbers:

  • Counting Divisors Method
     
  • Divisibility Test
     
  • Prime Number Chart
     
  • Prime Factorization
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Using the Counting Divisors Method

The method in which we count the number of divisors to categorize 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 198 is prime or composite.
 

Step 1: All numbers are divisible by 1 and itself.

 

Step 2: Divide 198 by 2. It is divisible by 2, so 2 is a factor of 198.

 

Step 3: Divide 198 by 3. It is divisible by 3, so 3 is a factor of 198.

 

Step 4: You can simplify checking divisors up to 198 by finding the root value. We then need to check divisors only up to the root value.

 

Step 5: When we divide 198 by 2, 3, 6, and 9, it is divisible by these numbers.

 

Since 198 has more than 2 divisors, it is a composite number.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Using the Divisibility Test Method

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: The number in the ones' place value is 8, which is even, so 198 is divisible by 2.

 

Divisibility by 3: The sum of the digits in the number 198 is 18. Since 18 is divisible by 3, 198 is also divisible by 3.

 

Divisibility by 5: The unit's place digit is 8, which is not 0 or 5, so 198 is not divisible by 5.

 

Divisibility by 7: The last digit in 198 is 8. To check divisibility by 7, double the last digit (8 × 2 = 16). Subtract it from the rest of the number (19 - 16 = 3). Since 3 is not divisible by 7, 198 is also not divisible by 7.

 

Divisibility by 11: The alternating sum of the digits in 198 is 1 - 9 + 8 = 0. Since 0 is divisible by 11, 198 is divisible by 11.

 

Since 198 is divisible by more than 2 numbers, it is a composite number.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Using Prime Number Chart

The prime number chart is a tool created using a method called “The Sieve of Eratosthenes.” In this method, we follow these steps:

 

Step 1: Write 1 to 100 in 10 rows and 10 columns.

 

Step 2: Leave 1 without coloring or crossing, as 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 reach the table consisting of marked and crossed boxes, except 1. Through this process, we will have a list of prime numbers from 1 to 100.

 

The list is 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, and 97. 198 is not present in the list of prime numbers, so it is a composite number.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Using the Prime Factorization Method

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 198 as 2 × 99.

 

Step 2: In 2 × 99, 99 is a composite number. Further, break the 99 into 3 × 33.

 

Step 3: Break 33 into 3 × 11.

 

Step 4: Now we get the product consisting of only prime numbers.

 

Hence, the prime factorization of 198 is 2 × 3 × 3 × 11.

Max Pointing Out Common Math Mistakes

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Determining if 198 is Not a Prime Number

Ray Thinking Deeply About Math Problems

FAQ on is 198 a Prime Number?

1.Is 198 a perfect square?

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2.What is the sum of the divisors of 198?

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3.What are the factors of 198?

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4.What are the closest prime numbers to 198?

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5.What is the prime factorization of 198?

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Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Important Glossaries for "Is 198 a Prime Number"

  • 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 themselves. For example, 7 is a prime number because it is only divisible by 1 and 7.
     
  • Factors: Numbers that divide the 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.
     
  • Sieve of Eratosthenes: An ancient algorithm used to find all prime numbers up to a specified integer.
     
  • Divisibility rules: Guidelines that help determine if one number is divisible by another without performing division, such as checking if a number is even for divisibility by 2.
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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

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.

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Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

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: She loves to read number jokes and games.

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