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Find the prime factorization of 60 from least to greatest; then write it using exponents.

User Rob Ruchte
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1 Answer

8 votes

Answer:

60 = 2² x 3 x 5

Explanation:

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

A Prime Number is a whole number (integer) greater than 1 that cannot be made by multiplying other whole numbers.

Prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17 etc.

  • Begin by dividing 60 by the first prime number, 2:
    60 ÷ 2 = 30, so 2 is our first factor.
  • As 30 is not a prime number, we need to go further:
    30 ÷ 2 = 15, so 2 is our second factor.
  • As 15 is not a prime number, we need to go further still.
    15 is not divisible by 2, so let's try dividing it by 3:
    15 ÷ 3 = 5, so 3 is our third factor.
  • 5 is a prime number, so we stop here ⇒ 5 is our fourth and final factor.

Therefore, 60 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 5 = 60

We can write this using exponents as 2 x 2 = 2²

Therefore, 60 = 2² x 3 x 5

User Sunil Sapkota
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