What is the next prime number after 5?

To determine the next prime number after 5, it's essential to understand the definition of a prime number. A prime number is defined as a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself.

After evaluating the numbers immediately following 5, we start with 6. The number 6 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, and 6, which disqualifies it as a prime number. Next is 7, which has divisors of 1 and 7 only, making it a prime number. Following 7 is 8, which can be divided by 1, 2, 4, and 8, and therefore is not prime. Lastly, 9 can be divided by 1, 3, and 9, indicating that it also is not a prime number.

Since 7 is the first number greater than 5 that meets the criteria of a prime number, it is correctly identified as the next prime number after 5.