QuestionSparx Maths
New! Multi Part Question - when you answer this question we'll mark each part individually
Bookwork code: 1B
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For each number, decide whether it is prime or not prime:
a) 51
b) 87
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
What is this asking?
We need to figure out if 51 and 87 are prime numbers.
Watch out!
Remember a prime number is a whole number greater than 1 that has only two divisors: 1 and itself.
Don't get tricked by numbers that *look* prime but aren't!
STEP 2
1. Check 51
2. Check 87
STEP 3
Alright, let's **tackle 51**!
Is it prime?
A prime number is only divisible by 1 and itself.
So, we need to see if 51 has any sneaky divisors other than 1 and 51.
STEP 4
Let's **think about divisibility rules**.
Is 51 divisible by 2?
Nope, it's not even.
How about 3?
The divisibility rule for 3 is to add up the digits. , and 6 *is* divisible by 3!
STEP 5
Let's **check**! .
We know that , and , and .
So, , which means , or , which simplifies to .
Boom!
STEP 6
Since 51 is divisible by 3 and 17, in addition to 1 and itself, it's **not** a prime number.
STEP 7
Now, let's **investigate 87**.
Is *this* number prime?
Let's apply our divisibility rule knowledge again!
STEP 8
Is 87 divisible by 2?
Nah, it's not even.
What about 3?
Let's add the digits: .
Hey, 15 *is* divisible by 3!
STEP 9
Let's **do the division**: .
We know that , and , and .
So, , which means , or , which simplifies to .
Awesome!
STEP 10
Since 87 is divisible by 3 and 29, as well as 1 and itself, it's **also not** a prime number.
STEP 11
a) 51 is **not prime**. b) 87 is **not prime**.
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