The Student Room Group
Reply 1
If a and b are prime numbers greater than 2, then neither will be divisible by 2. So a x b also won't be divisible by 2, and is hence an odd number.
Reply 2
indie_couture
ok i have this on a past paper and i know its simple but i dont know what to put!
Q. 'if a and b are prime numbers greater than 2, then a x b is always an odd number'
Is this statement correct?
give reasons for your answer

Thanks x


yes

the only even prime is 2 hence a and b are both odd

an odd x odd = odd as neither have a factor of 2

=]
Reply 3
well no even numbers are primes because all are divisible by 2. Therefore, must be odd times odd = odd, so it's correct.
Reply 4
Prime numbers are always odd (apart from 2).

An odd number multiplied by an odd number always gives an odd number.

So the statement is correct.
Thanks! X

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