Question

Three students need to produce a prime factorization of 48. Donna states that the first factors in the tree should be 6 and 8. Larry states that the first factors in the tree should be 4 and 12. Trish states that the initial factors of 48 do not affect the prime factorization. Explain why Trish is correct. Why is trish correct?​

Answer 1

A prime factorization is the product of the prime numbers that multiply to give the original number. 48 will have a prime factorization of 2(2)(2)(2)(3), or 24(3), regardless of the initial factors.

Explanation:

It is correct!

Answer 2

Below.

Explanation:

The initial factors do not affect the prime factorisation.

Continuing the factorisation will lead to the same result whichever initial factors you choose.

48

4 * 12

2*2 * 2*2*3

= 2*2*2*2*3

48

6 * 8

2*3 * 2*2*2

= 2*2*2*2*3.