Prime Factorization
Prime Factorization is the process of expressing a given number as a product of prime factors.Consider a number say 30. This is a composite number. We can write 30 as
30 = 2 x 15. But 15 is also composite number which can be written as
15 = 3 x 5
∴ 30 = 2 x 3 x 5
When we write 30 = 2 x 3 x 5, none of the numbers 2, 3, 5 are composite numbers.
2, 3, and 5 are prime factors of 30.
Thus we can say that 30 = 2 x 3 x 5 is the prime factorisation of 30.
There are two methods to find the factors of the given numbers.
1) Factor tree
2) Prime Factorisation Method
Factor tree
Example : Factor tree of 72 is given below.
Prime Factorisation Method
Another method to find the factors of the given number. Here also use the prime numbers. So start with 2 ,3,5,7 according to divisibility of the number. If we start with 2 then complete the division by 2 and then consider the next prime numbers.
Express the following as product of prime factors.
1) 150
150 = 2 x 75
= 2 x 3 x 25
= 2 x 3 x 5 x 5
The prime factors of 150 are 2 x 3 x 5 x 5
2) 732
732 = 2 x 366
= 2 x 2 x 183
= 2 x 2 x 3 x 61
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Using prime numbers, find the factors of the following :
1) 1331
2) 164
3) 729
4) 180
5) 5000
6) 84
7) 91
8) 105
9) 1000
10) 48
Factors and Multiples
• Prime and Composite Numbers
• Divisibility rules
• Prime factorization
• H.C.F or G.C.F
• L.C.M
• Application on LCM
Number System
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