Product of Prime Factors

[bubblesgirl13]

Hi, I have another question. Here it is:

Write each number as the product of prime factors.
example: 42

I think that this means that 42= y X p, y being prime factor 1 and p being prime factor 2.

Does this mean that two prime factors multiply to make 42, and how might I solve this?

Thanks again!

 

[masters]

Hi, I have another question. Here it is:

Write each number as the product of prime factors.
example: 42

I think that this means that 42= y X p, y being prime factor 1 and p being prime factor 2.

Does this mean that two prime factors multiply to make 42, and how might I solve this?

Thanks again!

Hi bubblesgirl13,

Start by dividing 42 by the smallest prime. That would be 2.
The quotient will be 21.

Since 2 will not divide evenly into 21, try the next prime. That would be 3.

The quotient now is 7.

Since 7 is prime, we are finished. Therefore 42 = 2 X 3 X 7 as a product of primes.