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Number Theory Level 1

What is the smallest positive composite integer?


The answer is 4.

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Arron Kau by Arron Kau

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8 solutions

R G
Nov 18, 2013

1 is not composite, 2 and 3 are prime, 4 =2*2

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Adam Zaim
Nov 19, 2013

It's number 4.

Number 3 and 2 are prime numbers. Number 4 is divisible by 2. Therefore it is a composite integer. LIKE A SIR.

4 Helpful 0 Interesting 0 Brilliant 0 Confused

What about number 1?

Calvin Lin Staff - 7 years, 6 months ago

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haha! nice question! :) By definition, itis not because it does not have 2 prime factors. It only have itself and itself.. For some time though, it was? But because of some inconsistencies and errors with the relationships between prime number when including one it was excluded. ie (may also be a bad example haha) is the Sieve of Eratosthenes, if you include 1 as a prime number, then each and every number would be crossed out thus would not lead you to determining each prime numbers in the end. ^^

Richard Martinez - 7 years, 6 months ago

4 is the smallest composite number

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Prateek Gilani
Jan 9, 2014

A composite number is a positive integer that has at least one positive divisor other than one or itself. In other words, a composite number is any positive integer greater than one that is not a prime number.

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Iranna Hubballi
Mar 19, 2014

the smallest composite number is 4

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The first prime no is2.

hence by taking two times the same we get 4.

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Richard Martinez
Nov 22, 2013

Given: 0 - 10 Solution: n/2 = x, therefore (2)(x) = n "n" being the composite integer to have a factorization of 2(x)=n, 1(n)=n making the first "n" through "Trial Division" be the smallest composite integer.

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Vikesh Tiwari
Nov 21, 2013

A composite no. is a positive integer has at least one positive divisor other than one or itself. Means any positive integer greater than 1 and that is not a prime number is a positive composite integer. so Ans. will be 4.

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