1. Prime Numbers & Prime Factorization

2. Factors Factors are the numbers you multiply together to get a product. For example, the product 24 has several factors. 24 = 1 x 24 24 = 2 x 12 24 = 3 x 8 24 = 4 x 6 SO, the factors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24

3. Finding Factors Start with 1 times the number. Try 2, 3, 4, etc. When you repeat your factors, cross out the repeat - you’re done at this point. If you get doubles (such as 4 x 4), then you’re done. Repeats or doubles let you know you’re done.

4. Prime and Composite Numbers Prime numbers are numbers that only have two factors: one, and the number itself. EXAMPLES: 3, 5, 7, 11, 31 Composite numbers have more than two factors. EXAMPLES: 6, 15, 18, 30, 100

5. A Product of Primes Every composite number can be expressed as a product of prime numbers. This is called prime factorization.

6. Example 15 is a composite number. It can be written as a product of primes: 3 x 5

7. To find the prime factorization: 1.Divide the number by the first prime number possible. 2.Circle the prime number, and continue with the other factor. 3.Divide the new factor by a prime number. 4.Continue this process until the only numbers you have left are prime numbers.

8. Remember the Prime Number List: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97…

9. Example: Prime Factorization of 100. 100 2 X 50 100 ÷ 2 = 50. Two is the first prime number that goes into 100. 2 is a prime number, so we are done with it. Now we deal with the 50. Divide it by 2 to get the next factors. 2 X 25 25 is not divisible by the first prime, 2. The next prime, 3, does not work either. We must divide by 5 to get a factor. 5 x 5 Both numbers are prime, leaving us with all primes.

10. What’s the Answer? Now, we just list our factors with multiplication signs between them. Use the circled prime numbers. 2 x 2 x 5 x 5

11. Exponent Form We have just listed our prime factorization for 100 as being 2 x 2 x 5 x 5. This is repeated multiplication. Repeated multiplication can be expressed with exponents. 2 x 2 can be expressed in exponent form: 2 2 5 x 5 can be expressed as 5 2 Put it together, and 2 x 2 x 5 x 5 is more simply put as 2 2 x 5 2

12. 2 x 2 x 3 x 5 x 7 or 2 2 x 3 x 5 x 7 Another Example 420 2 x 210 2 x 105 3 x 35 5 x 7

13. Try this on your own: 54 Answer: 2 x 3 x 3 x 3 or 2 x 3 3

14. Prime Factorization Video How to Find the Prime Factorization of a Number