Is 2 a Prime Number?

Is number 2 a prime number or not? Since the number two is an even number, many believe that 2 is not a prime number. But, 2 is a very special number!

Why?

So, 2 is a Prime Number or Not?

Yes, 2 is a prime number. According to the definition of prime numbers, any whole number which has only 2 factors is known as a prime number. Now, the factors of 2 are 1 and 2. Since there are exactly two factors of 2, it is a prime number.

Lesson Highlights:

The Smallest and The Only Even Prime Number!

It is interesting to note that the number 2 is the smallest integer that satisfies the condition of prime numbers. Another interesting thing to note about the number 2 is that it is the only prime number which is an even number. This is because all the even numbers are divisible by 2.

Is 2 a Composite Number?

For a number to be a composite number, it should have more than 2 factors. But, the number 2 has only two factors i.e. 1 and 2. Hence, 2 is not considered as a composite number.

So, What Kind of Number is 2?

Below are some of the categories in which number 2 falls:

• A natural number
• A positive integer
• A prime number
• An even number
• A rational number
• A whole number

Also,

• 2 is the smallest prime number
• 2 is the only even prime number
• 2 is the smallest even number