What is a prime factorization?
Expressing an integer as a product of prime-number factors, such as 120 = 5x3x2x2x2
Prime factorization is when you express a numer into diffrent multiplications.Ask an adult for this help.All I can give you is this:
12 = 6x6
To pick up on what drwls said, in terms of prime factorization, we can also write the example given using exponents.
The prime factorization of 120 =
5 x 3 x 2^3, where 2 is raised to the third power.
Prime factorization is a process of breaking down a positive integer into a product of its prime factors. It is a fundamental concept in number theory that helps us understand the factors of a number more precisely. Prime factors are the prime numbers that divide a given number exactly, without leaving any remainder.
To find the prime factorization of a number, you follow these steps:
1. Start with the smallest prime number, which is 2.
2. Divide the given number by 2. If it is divisible evenly, write down 2 as one of the factors and keep dividing until it is no longer divisible by 2.
3. Move to the next prime number, which is 3, and repeat the dividing process until it is no longer divisible by 3.
4. Continue this process with prime numbers in ascending order until the result of division becomes 1.
5. The prime factors obtained from these divisions are the prime factorization of the original number.
For example, let's find the prime factorization of 24:
1. Start with the smallest prime number, 2. Divide 24 by 2, which gives us 12.
2. 12 is still divisible by 2, so we divide again: 12 ÷ 2 = 6.
3. Continuing with prime number 2, we divide 6 by 2: 6 ÷ 2 = 3.
4. As 3 is a prime number, we cannot divide it any further.
5. The prime factors we obtained are 2, 2, 2, and 3. So the prime factorization of 24 is 2 * 2 * 2 * 3, or simply written as 2^3 * 3.
Prime factorization allows us to express a number in its simplest form and helps in various mathematical calculations and problem-solving.