Download Prime Factorization

Prime Factorization
Finding prime numbers and
two methods for finding the
prime factorization of a
number.
What are prime numbers?

Prime numbers are numbers that are
divisible only by 1 and the number itself.
–

Example: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, . . .
Two methods for finding prime numbers are:
–
–
Tree Diagram
Successive Division
Tree Diagram

Find the prime factorization of 24
24
4
2

6
2
2
3
The prime factorization of 24 is 2 x 2 x 2 x 3.
Note that the numbers are all prime numbers which are divisible
by only 1 and itself.
Successive Division

Successive division is almost the same as
regular division.
2 24
Divide each number by prime numbers.
Continue to do that until you get a 1 at
the bottom. The numbers down the left
side are the prime factors of 24.
2 12
2 6
33
1
Example

Find the prime factorization of 210.
210
21
3
10
7
2
5
Prime factorization is 2 x 3 x 5 x 7. You would also put the
numbers in order from lowest to highest.