Prime Factorization

Prime factorization is finding out all the prime numbers which when multiplied result in the original number.

Factor Tree Method

A factor tree is a tool that helps us to break down the given number into its prime factors. In this method we factorize the given number and we only stop when we can’t find factors any more.

Prime factorization is the list of prime numbers or prime factors that we would multiply together to create that given number.

Example 1: Find Prime Factor of 108.

Explanation

First find out 2 factors of the given number 108. Here two factors are 6 and 18. Now look and determine whether these two factors are prime number or not. If it is not a prime number then factor it again. Repeat this process until we get all our factors prime.

The ends are all the prime factors of the original number. Here we see the factor tree of 108 which reveals that 108 = 2 × 3 × 2 × 3 × 3.

Example 2: Find Prime Factor of 392.

Note:

      1.   Composite number can be written as a product of its prime factors.

      2.   Prime numbers are considered as the basic building blocks of all numbers.

      3.   No, two numbers can have the same prime factors. Prime factors for every number are unique.