What is the next prime number after 11?

What is the next prime number after 11?

• A. 12
• B. 13
• C. 14
• D. 15

Answer: (B)

The next prime number after 11 is 13. By definition, a prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. To confirm that 13 is a prime number, we can test for divisibility by prime numbers less than its square root (which is about 3.6). The only prime numbers to check are 2 and 3. - 13 is an odd number, so it is not divisible by 2. - When you divide 13 by 3, the result is not a whole number (13 divided by 3 equals approximately 4.33). Since 13 is not divisible by any prime number up to its square root, it qualifies as a prime number. In contrast, the other choices do not fit the definition of prime numbers. The numbers 12, 14, and 15 can all be divided evenly by numbers other than 1 and themselves, making them composite numbers. For example: - 12 can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. - 14 can be divided by 1, 2, 7, and 14

The next prime number after 11 is 13. By definition, a prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself.

To confirm that 13 is a prime number, we can test for divisibility by prime numbers less than its square root (which is about 3.6). The only prime numbers to check are 2 and 3.

• 13 is an odd number, so it is not divisible by 2.

• When you divide 13 by 3, the result is not a whole number (13 divided by 3 equals approximately 4.33).

Since 13 is not divisible by any prime number up to its square root, it qualifies as a prime number.

In contrast, the other choices do not fit the definition of prime numbers. The numbers 12, 14, and 15 can all be divided evenly by numbers other than 1 and themselves, making them composite numbers. For example:

• 12 can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

• 14 can be divided by 1, 2, 7, and 14