what does prime factorazation mean???
http://www.mathsisfun.com/prime-factorization.html
Prime factorization is a process of breaking down a number into its prime factors. Prime factors are the prime numbers that, when multiplied together, result in the original number.
To perform prime factorization, follow these steps:
1. Start by dividing the given number by the smallest prime number, which is 2. If it is divisible, write down 2 as a factor and continue dividing until it is no longer divisible.
2. Move on to the next prime number, which is 3, and repeat the process.
3. Continue using the next prime numbers in ascending order until the original number is completely divided.
4. Finally, write down all the prime factors obtained when dividing the original number.
For example, let's find the prime factorization of the number 24:
1. Divide 24 by 2: 24 ÷ 2 = 12. Write down 2 as a factor.
2. Divide 12 by 2: 12 ÷ 2 = 6. Write down 2 as a factor again.
3. Divide 6 by 2: 6 ÷ 2 = 3. Write down 2 as a factor one more time.
4. Divide 3 by 2 (not divisible): 3 remains.
5. Move on to the next prime number, which is 3. Divide 3 by 3: 3 ÷ 3 = 1. Write down 3 as a factor.
6. Since 1 is not a prime number, we stop here.
The prime factorization of 24 is therefore 2 × 2 × 2 × 3, or in exponential form: 2^3 × 3.