Question

Which of these equations shows prime factorization done correctly?

140 = 1 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 7

24 = 2 x 2 x 6

132 = 11 x 3 x 4

76 = 2 x 2 x 19

Answer 1

140 = 1 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 7

76 = 2 x 2 x 19

Explanation:

"Prime Factorization" is finding which prime numbers multiply together to make the original number.

The prime numbers are: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19...

so 24 = 2 x 2 x 6 has a 6 which is not a prime number

- should be 24 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3

so 132 = 11 x 3 x 4 has a 4 which is not a prime number

132 = 11 x 3 x 4 should be 132 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 11