1. Discovering Prime Factors of Any Number
Prime Factor Tree
Discovering Prime Factors
of Any Number
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2. Definitions
Prime Number – An integer whose only factors are 1 and itself.
Factor – a number that can divide another number without a remainder.
Prime Factors – an expression of numbers that divides another integer without a remainder where all the factors are prime.

3. Let’s Choose a Number Let’s use 36
Choose any 2 factors – let’s use 9 and 4
Now let’s factor these numbers, too
Next, arrange them from least to greatest
Last, re-write as exponents 36 4 9 x 2 3 x 2 x 3 22 x 32

4. Let’s Try That Again! 36 12 3 x 3 x 2 6 3 x 2 2 x 3 22 x 32
Let’s use 36 again
Choose any 2 factors – let’s use 3 and 12
Now let’s factor these numbers, too
Oops, 6 is not prime - let’s factor again!
Next, arrange them from least to greatest
Last, re-write as exponents
Look, it’s the same answer! 36 12 3 x 3 x 2 6 3 x 2 2 x 3 22 x 32

5. Let’s Re-Cap Composite numbers are made up of factors
In a Prime Factor Tree, the goal is to keep reducing each factor to its lowest possible prime factors
When you have all the prime factors identified, re-arrange them from least to greatest and re-write them as exponents