help with prime factorization

[mattoram]

I need assistance in figuring out how to find the prime factorization of a number. Tried a number of times, and can't figure out how...Ex 72...I would like to know how to get the answer and try to understand for other problems I have. Thanks

 

[stapel]

Figure out the smallest prime number that divides into the number. Divide it out. Figure out the smallest prime number (it may be the same number as before) that divides into whatever is left. Divide it out. Keep going until you end up with a prime-number result.

The prime factorization is the product of everything you divided out, times the last prime-number result.

For instance:

. . . . .Find the prime factorization of 630.

. . . . .630 ÷ 2 = 315

. . . . .315 ÷ 3 = 105

. . . . .105 ÷ 3 = 35

. . . . .35 ÷ 5 = 7

. . . . .Seven is prime, so stop.

. . . . .factorization: 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 × 7 = 2 × 3² × 5 × 7

Follow this process with your example.

Eliz.