Final answer:
To factor 20 into its prime factors, divide by the smallest prime number until you can no longer divide. The prime factorization of 20 is 2 x 2 x 5 or 2^2 x 5.
Step-by-step explanation:
To factor 20 into its prime factors, we divide 20 by the smallest prime number, which is 2. Since 20 is divisible by 2, we get the quotient 10. We continue dividing the quotient by the smallest prime number until we can no longer divide. In this case, 10 is divisible by 2 again, giving us the quotient 5. Since 5 is a prime number, we stop dividing. Therefore, the prime factorization of 20 is 2 x 2 x 5 or 22 x 5.