The number 3 is the natural number following 2 and preceding 4. It is the smallest odd prime number and has many interesting mathematical properties. For example, it is the only prime number that is one less than a perfect square (2^2 = 4). Three is also the number of sides in the simplest polygon, the triangle, which is widely used in engineering and design due to its stability. In terms of what makes 3, it can be represented in various mathematical operations such as:

• Addition: 1 + 1 + 1 = 3
• Division and multiplication examples: 3 + 3 - 3 = 3 × 3 / 3 = 3
• Square roots and other operations also can be used to represent 3.

Three has significant cultural and religious meanings and appears in numerous mathematical contexts including its role in numeral systems and as the base of powers and multiples. It is also linked to basic counting and early human number recognition where "three" was often the upper limit before quantities were referred to as "many".