Identify the smallest prime number.

Given data

• Definition: a prime has exactly two distinct positive divisors, 1 and itself.

Reasoning

0 is not prime. 1 has only one positive divisor, so not prime.2 has divisors {1, 2} only and is the least such integer.Therefore the smallest prime is 2.

Common pitfalls

• Thinking 1 is prime. It is not by modern definition.

Final Answer

2