20-Sep-08 (Created: 20-Sep-08) | More in 'numbers'

40 How do you define a prime number?

A prime number is generally defined as a number for which the only factors are 1 and the number itself.

This means the number has no other factors other than 1 and itself. So such a number can not be broken down into equal parts or grouped into equal parts.

These numbers seem to stand by themselves subservient to none or dependent on none perhaps meriting their moniker.