Last updated on May 26th, 2025
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 845 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 845 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 845 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 numbers as prime or composite. - 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 845 is prime or composite. - Step 1: All numbers are divisible by 1 and itself. - Step 2: Divide 845 by 2. It is not divisible by 2, so 2 is not a factor of 845. - Step 3: Divide 845 by 3. It is not divisible by 3, so 3 is not a factor of 845. - Step 4: Continue checking divisors up to the square root of 845, which is approximately 29. Step 5: When we divide 845 by 5 and 13, it is divisible by both. Since 845 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: The number in the ones' place value is 5. Five is not an even number, which means that 845 is not divisible by 2. - Divisibility by 3: The sum of the digits in the number 845 is 17. Since 17 is not divisible by 3, 845 is also not divisible by 3. - Divisibility by 5: The unit’s place digit is 5. Therefore, 845 is divisible by 5. - Divisibility by 7: The last digit in 845 is 5. To check divisibility by 7, double the last digit (5 × 2 = 10). Then, subtract it from the rest of the number (84 - 10 = 74). Since 74 is not divisible by 7, 845 is also not divisible by 7. - Divisibility by 11: In 845, the sum of the digits in odd positions is 13, and the sum of the digits in even positions is 4. The difference is 9, which means that 845 is not divisible by 11. Since 845 is divisible by more than two numbers, 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 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. 845 is not present in the list of prime numbers from 1 to 100, 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 845 as 5 × 169. - Step 2: In 5 × 169, 169 is a composite number. Further, break 169 into 13 × 13. - Step 3: Now we get the product consisting of only prime numbers. Hence, the prime factorization of 845 is 5 × 13 × 13.
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 it 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, 7 is a prime number. - Divisibility rules: A set of rules that help determine whether a number is divisible by another number without performing division. - Prime factorization: The determination of the prime numbers that multiply together to give a particular original number. For example, the prime factorization of 30 is 2 × 3 × 5. - Factors: The 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.
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.