Twentythree

Twenty-three is the natural number that follows twenty-two and precedes twenty-four. It is written as 23 in digits and as twenty-three in words. In Roman numerals it is XXIII. In common base-10 representations, 23 equals binary 10111, octal 27, hex 17, and base-5 43.

Mathematically, 23 is an odd prime number. It has no positive divisors other than 1 and 23, making it the ninth prime. It is also a safe prime, since (23 − 1) / 2 = 11 is prime.

In science and biology, 23 has several notable associations: humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, giving 46 total. In chemistry, vanadium has atomic number 23.

In culture and numerology, the number 23 has attracted attention as the subject of the 23 enigma, a belief that this number recurs in meaningful coincidences. It has appeared in various forms of media and can be noted in discussions of popular culture, sport, and literature, though such associations are not scientifically established.

Overall, twenty-three is a prime, structurally significant number with recognizable representations across numeral systems, and it holds particular relevance in genetics and chemistry, as well as in certain cultural contexts.