What is the smallest prime number?

The smallest prime number is 2. A prime number is defined as a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. While 1 is often confused for being prime, it does not meet the definition since it has only one divisor, which is itself.

The number 2 is unique not only because it is the smallest prime, but also because it is the only even prime number; all other even numbers can be divided by 2, meaning they have at least three positive divisors: 1, 2, and the number itself. The next primes, 3 and 5, while they are indeed prime numbers, are larger than 2. This establishes 2 as the smallest prime number in the set of natural numbers.