In maths we can draw numbers as shapes. When we draw them, they can be either a Square, Stick or Wide Rectangle. Have a look at the numbers drawn below. ![]() ![]() The number 1 is a square, but it is only one square. The number 2 can't be drawn as a square or a wide rectangle, so we call it a stick. The number 3 can't be drawn as a square or a wide rectangle, so we call it a stick. We can draw the number 4 as a square. The number 5 can't be drawn as a square or a wide rectangle, so we call it a stick. We can draw the number 6 as a wide rectangle. Try drawing the number seven. Can you make it into a square or wide rectangle? Try making the numbers up to 20. Which ones can be drawn only as sticks? Which ones can make squares? Which ones make rectangles?
Notice that the numbers that can only be rectangles are called Prime Numbers. Each prime number has only two factors, 1 and itself. |