Prime numbers are the building blocks of number theory and play a vital role in various mathematical applications, including cryptography, number systems, and factorization. If you’ve ever wondered what numbers can only be divided by 1 and themselves, you're thinking about prime numbers.
Let’s explore the definition, the list of prime numbers up to 100, how to find them, and their properties through clear examples and solved questions.
Table of Contents
A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has exactly two distinct factors: 1 and itself. This means it cannot be divided evenly by any number other than 1 and itself.
For example:
2 is a prime number (only divisible by 1 and 2)
9 is not a prime number (divisible by 1, 3, 9)
Important: 1 is not a prime number.
Prime numbers between 1 and 100 follow these important characteristics:
All prime numbers are greater than 1
A prime number has only two factors
2 is the only even prime number
All other even numbers greater than 2 are not prime
No number ending in 5 (except 5) is prime
These properties help in quick identification and verification of prime numbers.
Here is the complete list of prime numbers between 1 and 100:
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29,
31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71,
73, 79, 83, 89, 97
These 25 numbers are the prime numbers 1 to 100, and none of them can be expressed as a product of two smaller natural numbers.
A simple method known as the Sieve of Eratosthenes can help find prime numbers up to 100:
Write down all numbers from 1 to 100
Eliminate 1 (not a prime)
Circle 2 (first prime) and cross out all multiples of 2
Next uncrossed number is 3 – circle it and eliminate its multiples
Repeat this process for the next uncrossed number (5, 7, 11...)
At the end, all uncrossed numbers are prime!
Example 1:
What is the average of the prime numbers between 1 and 10?
Solution: Prime numbers = 2, 3, 5, 7
Average = (2 + 3 + 5 + 7)/4 = 17/4 = 4.25
Example 2:
How many even numbers between 2 and 20 can be written as the sum of two different prime numbers?
Solution:
Valid pairs include:
8 = 3 + 5
10 = 5 + 5
12 = 5 + 7
14 = 3 + 11
16 = 5 + 11
18 = 7 + 11
So, there are 6 even integers that can be written as the sum of two primes.
Example 3:
Find the next three numbers in the prime number sequence: 2, 3, 5, 7, …
Solution: Next three prime numbers = 11, 13, 17
If p is a prime number, how many factors does p² have?
What is the average of the first 20 prime numbers?
Which of the four consecutive numbers whose sum is 210 is a prime number?
Prime numbers up to 100 form the foundation of number theory and play a crucial role in mathematics. Understanding these numbers helps students recognize patterns, improve problem-solving skills, and prepare for advanced topics like factors, multiples, and cryptography. By mastering prime numbers early, learners gain confidence in identifying primes and applying them in real-life scenarios such as coding, encryption, and logical reasoning.
A: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97.
A: There are 25 prime numbers from 1 to 100.
A: 2 is the first and only even prime number.
A: Because it has only one factor, whereas prime numbers must have exactly two factors.
A: (2 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 11 + 13 + 17 + 19 + 23 + 29)/10 = 12.9
Keep practicing and exploring more problems involving prime numbers between 1 and 100 at Orchids International School!