What is the largest prime number less than 50 and how do you know?
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The largest prime number less than 50 is 47. To find this prime number, we can start by listing all the numbers from 2 to 50. Next, we can apply the process of elimination to determine which numbers are prime.
We know that a prime number is a number greater than 1 that is only divisible by 1 and itself. So, we can start by checking if number 2 is a prime. Since it is only divisible by 1 and 2, it is indeed a prime number.
Next, we move to number 3. We check if it is divisible by any number between 2 and its square root (which is approximately 1.7). Since 3 is not divisible by any whole number between 2 and 1.7, it is a prime number.
We continue this process for the remaining numbers up to 50. When we reach number 47, we find that it is not divisible by any whole number between 2 and its square root (which is approximately 6.9). Thus, 47 is a prime number.
Therefore, the largest prime number less than 50 is 47.