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Last updated on May 26th, 2025

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Is 42 a prime number?

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Prime numbers have often fascinated mathematicians. Especially because of their no order or pattern for appearance at random. Even when we don’t understand their emergence in the list of numbers, we apply them in medicine, computer algorithms, cryptography, and others.

Is 42 a prime number? for Canadian Students
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Is 42 a prime number?

How do we find whether a number is prime or not? Let us check out the various methods to learn when we have to check if a number is a prime number.

 

is 42 a prime number
 

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Why is 42 not a Prime Number

These different methods we can use to check if a number is a prime number are explained below;
 

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Using the Counting Divisors Method

The counting divisors method for 42 would simply be

 

  • Divisors of 42= 1,2,3,6,7,14,21,42

 

  • Number of divisors= 8


The number 42 can be considered composite.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Using the Divisibility Test Method

In the divisibility method, the prime number only has 2 divisors, which are 1 and itself.

 

  • Divisors of 42= 1,2,3,6,7,14,21,42


As 42 has factors more than 2 then it is not a prime number. 
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Using Prime Number Chart

The list of prime numbers under 100 are;


2,3,5,7,11,13,19,23,29,31,37,41,43,47,53,59,

 

61,67,71,73,79,83,89,97. 


42 is not present in the list, it is not a prime number.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Using the Prime Factorization Method

This method is only used for a non-prime number/composite number. Since 42 is a composite number,

 

prime factorization for 42 is :


Factors of 42 = 7×2×3
 

Max Pointing Out Common Math Mistakes

Common mistakes to avoid when determining if 42 is a prime number

It is highly likely we commit some mistakes due to confusion or unclear understanding. Let us look at possible mistakes we may make and try to avoid them. 
 

Mistake 1

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Thinking that all odd numbers are prime 
 

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not all odd numbers are prime numbers. A composite number can still be an odd number.
 

Ray Thinking Deeply About Math Problems

FAQs: Is 42 a Prime Number?

1.Is 7 a factor of 777?

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2.Is 20 a factor of 50?

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3.Is 7 a factor of 99?

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4.Is 42 a multiple of 7?

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5. Why can 42 not be a prime number?

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6.How can children in Canada use numbers in everyday life to understand Is 42 a prime number??

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7.What are some fun ways kids in Canada can practice Is 42 a prime number? with numbers?

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8.What role do numbers and Is 42 a prime number? play in helping children in Canada develop problem-solving skills?

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9.How can families in Canada create number-rich environments to improve Is 42 a prime number? skills?

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Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Important Glossaries for "Is 42 a Prime Number"

  • Prime numbers — numbers with factors that are 1 and the number alone. For example 1,3,5,7,11.

 

  • Composite numbers — numbers with more than 2 factors in them. For example 4,6,8 etc

 

  • Divisibility Method—  In the divisibility method, the prime number only has 2 divisors, which are 1 and itself.
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

About BrightChamps in Canada

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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

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.

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