A composite number has at least one prime factor; hence it has at least three factors. If n is a composite number then n is always divisible at least by three distinct numbers.
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A composite number is divisible at least by one prime
Question: Prove that a composite number has at least one prime divisor.
Solution:
Let n be a composite number. Thus, by definition, it has a positive divisor other than 1 and n. Let S be the set of these positive divisors of n (which are different from 1 and n).
Clearly, S is non-empty.
By the well-ordering principle of natural numbers, S has a least element, say d.
Note 1< d < n.
Claim: d is a prime number.
If d is not a prime, then there is another number d’ that divides d.
So 1< d’ < d < n.
As d’ divides d and d divides n, we have that d’ divides n ⇒ d’ ∈ S.
Thus we arrive at a contradiction to the fact that d is the least element of S. Thus, d is a prime number and the result follows.
Therefore, a composite number has at least one prime divisor.
Read Also: If 2n-1 is a prime, then n is a prime
A composite number is divisible by at least three numbers
Question: Prove that a composite number has at least three factors.
Solution:
Let n be a composite number.
Then n is divisible by a prime number p by the above theorem.
Also, n is divisible by 1 and n.
As n≠p, the number n is divisible by three numbers 1, p, and n. So we have proved the following:
A composite number has at least three factors. |
Read Also: Is 2 a prime number?
FAQs
Answer: If n is a composite number, then it has at least three factors.