Which number is recognized as the smallest prime number?

The smallest prime number is recognized as 2. A prime number is defined as a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself.

In the case of 2, it meets all the criteria because its only divisors are 1 and 2. Additionally, 2 is unique among the prime numbers as it is the only even prime; all other prime numbers are odd.

The number 1 does not qualify as a prime number because it does not meet the requirement of having exactly two distinct positive divisors. Numbers such as 3 and 5, while prime, are larger than 2 and therefore do not fulfill the definition of being the smallest prime. Thus, 2 is universally recognized as the smallest prime number in the set of natural numbers.