Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheets: {FREE} Activity Pack

Did you know that Cicadas base their life on prime numbers? They only hatch at intervals of 13 and 17 years…which are both prime numbers. It is an odd fact, but interesting to note that prime and composite numbers can be found in other areas besides a math classroom. And today we are going to look at these interesting numbers with this set of prime and composite numbers worksheets!

This is a guest post from Rachel at You’ve Got This Math.

What are Prime and Composite Numbers?

When teaching young children what prime and composite numbers are, we tend to focus on one aspect…the number of factors. Though there is much more to prime and composite numbers than this, it is a great place to start.

One way to teach a prime number is that it can only be evenly divided by 1 and itself.

For example, 5 is a prime number. 1 x 5 = 5 and that’s it.

A composite number is a number that has more factors, in addition to just one and itself.

For example, 6 is a composite number: 1 x 6 = 6 and 2 x 3 = 6

Prime and Composite Number Oddities…

It is important to note that some numbers are a little odd.

All even numbers are composite numbers…well except for one number.

The number 2 is a prime number. Why? Because it can only be evenly divided by 1 and itself.

The Number One

Now let’s look at the number 1. We know the rule for being a prime number is being evenly divided by 1 and itself.

Up until the 20th century, many mathematicians would have said that 1 was prime, but now that is changing. In fact, the definition of a prime number now says that a prime number is an integer greater than one that can only be evenly divided by 1 and itself.

One reason is that it does not have two positive divisors.

I also like how Professor Chris Caldwell from Prime Pages explains it:

“Many of the properties of an integer can be traced back to the properties of its prime divisors, allowing us to divide the problem (literally) into smaller problems. The number one is useless in this regard because a = 1^.a = 1^.1^.a = … That is, divisibility by one fails to provide us any information about a.”

What About Zero?

Nope! It’s not prime either.

If you go back to the actual definition of prime numbers, you have to remember that the integer has to be greater than one. Well, that leaves out zero…so zero is not prime.

The definition of a composite number also goes a little further than just having factors other than one and itself. A composite number is a product of prime numbers.

For example, 30 = 1 x 2 x 3 x 5

Since a prime factorization of zero is not possible…zero is neither prime or composite.

Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheets:

Though we may or may not go into that much detail with our students, it is important for them to play around with prime and composite numbers, and this prime and composite numbers worksheet packet allows them to do so.

There are 5 interactive worksheets to make sense or prime and composite numbers.

Prime or Composite Numbers Cut and Paste Pages

The first three pages of the packet are a simple cut and paste activities. The numbers start off small and increase in value through each page.

To complete, kids first, cut out the numbers at the bottom of the page.

Next, they decide if the numbers are prime or composite.

Finally, they glue the numbers under the correct column.

Prime or Composite Writing Activity

The next practice sheet challenges kids to look at the number one, and decide if it’s prime or not. There is a place for them to explain their thinking in words, and then to show their thinking.

See if this doesn’t spark a heated math debate! 😉

Prime or Composite Numbers Problem Solving Challenges

The last practice page has the children solving an area problem using their knowledge of prime and composite numbers.

Once again their is space for the children to draw and model their thinking instead of just writing down the answer.

Enjoy exploring these fun numbers!!

{Click HERE to go to my shop and grab the FREE Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheets!}

Looking for more factoring practice fun? Try this activity:

• Popcorn Factors: Simple Printable Cards to Practice Factoring

Rachel is a homeschool mom to four little ones, ages 2 to 6. She is a former public elementary teacher, and has recently begun blogging at her page You’ve Got This. You can also find her on Facebook and Pinterest.