Final answer:
The prime factorization of 24 is found by dividing it by the smallest prime number, which is 2, until only prime numbers are left. Upon doing so, we find that 24 can be expressed as 2³ x 3, which is option d).
Step-by-step explanation:
The prime factorization of 24 is the expression of 24 as the product of prime numbers. To find the prime factorization of 24, you divide the number by the smallest prime numbers possible until only prime numbers are left. Since 24 is an even number, we start with the prime number 2:
- 24 ÷ 2 = 12
- 12 ÷ 2 = 6
- 6 ÷ 2 = 3
- 3 is a prime number, so we stop here.
We have divided 24 by 2 three times, which can be written as 2³, and the last divisor is 3. Therefore, the prime factorization of 24 is 2³ x 3.