Question

explain how to find a prime factorization of a number.

Answer 1

The idea is ANY number can be broken down into a product of primes. So...let's say the number 35.

35 = 5 x 7

and because 5 and 7 are both primes, we say that the prime factorization of 35 is just 5 times 7.

For a more complicated number like 120, you can start by noticing this is an even number, so we know 120 = 2 * something. Well,

120 = 2 * 60.

But, unlike last time, we're not done yet with our prime factorization, because while 2 is a prime number, 60 is not. So let's break apart the 60

120 = 2 * 2 * 30

But 30 is still not prime.

120 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 15

And 15 is not prime...

120 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 5.

And finally, we know we're done because 2, 3, and 5 are all prime!

Answer 2

thanks