Prime numbers are natural numbers greater than 1 that have no positive divisors other than 1 and themselves. This unique property makes them fundamental building blocks in number theory, as they cannot be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers. Prime numbers are essential in various mathematical concepts, such as the Sieve of Eratosthenes for identifying primes, the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic for expressing numbers uniquely as products of primes, and they have a rich historical significance in the development of number theory.
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