Is 69 a prime number or composite? This question often puzzles many individuals, especially those who are just starting to learn about the fascinating world of numbers. In order to answer this question, we need to delve into the basic definitions of prime and composite numbers and then apply them to the number 69.
A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. This means that a prime number cannot be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers. On the other hand, a composite number is a natural number that has at least one positive divisor other than 1 and itself, which implies that it can be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers.
To determine whether 69 is a prime number or composite, we can start by checking if it has any divisors other than 1 and itself. By doing so, we can quickly find that 69 can be divided evenly by 3 (69 ÷ 3 = 23). Since 69 has a divisor other than 1 and itself, it is not a prime number. Therefore, 69 is classified as a composite number.
The number 69 can be further broken down into its prime factors. By dividing 69 by 3, we obtain 23, which is a prime number. Hence, the prime factorization of 69 is 3 × 23. This means that 69 is the product of two prime numbers, making it a composite number.
In conclusion, 69 is a composite number because it has divisors other than 1 and itself. Its prime factorization is 3 × 23, indicating that it can be formed by multiplying two prime numbers. Understanding the difference between prime and composite numbers is essential in the study of mathematics, as these numbers play a crucial role in various mathematical concepts and applications.
