Question

Write the prime factorization for 180. can someone explain how to do this?

Answer 1

well, primefactorization is when you break a number down into the prime numbers that, when multiplied equal the number you started with

Answer 2

do you know how to start?

Answer 3

nope a teacher explained to me but it wasn't to clear for me

Answer 4

ok, i like to see if the number is divisable by 2. is 180 divisable by 2?

Answer 5

yea

Answer 6

perfect, so 180 factors to 2 * 90. 2 is a prime number so nuw you factor 90....again, is 90 divisable by 2?

Answer 7

Just factor out prime numbers until you're left with a prime number at the end.

180 = 60 * 3
60 = 3 * 20
20 = 4 * 5
4 = 2 * 2

So, 180 = 3 * 3 * 5 * 2 * 2
= 3^2 * 2^2 * 5