For the integers, this definition is equivalent to the one stated above. However, in general the two definitions are not equivalent. The earlier definition is still important in rings and is given the name [[irreducibility]], since it literally states that the element cannot be broken into smaller pieces. | For the integers, this definition is equivalent to the one stated above. However, in general the two definitions are not equivalent. The earlier definition is still important in rings and is given the name [[irreducibility]], since it literally states that the element cannot be broken into smaller pieces. |