Final answer:
The prime factorization of 150, which involves dividing the number by the smallest prime factors until reaching 1, is 2 x 3 x 5^2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prime factorization of 150 is found by repeatedly dividing the number by its smallest prime factor until we cannot divide any further.
The prime factors of 150 are 2, 3, and 5. To begin the process, we divide 150 by the smallest prime number 2, which gives 75.
Next, we divide 75 by the next smallest prime, which is 3, resulting in 25.
Lastly, 25 is divided by 5 repeatedly until we are left with 1.
Therefore, the prime factorization of 150 is 2 x 3 x 52.