fundamental theorem of arithmetic

fundamental theorem of arithmetic, Fundamental principle of number theory proved by Carl Friedrich Gauss in 1801. It states that any integer greater than 1 can be expressed as the product of prime numbers in only one way.

This article was most recently revised and updated by William L. Hosch.

Citation Information

Article Title: fundamental theorem of arithmetic

Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica

Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

Date Published: 06 January 2012

URL: https://www.britannica.comhttps://www.britannica.com/science/fundamental-theorem-of-arithmetic

Access Date: February 22, 2025