Prime factorization is a way of expressing a number as a product of its prime factors. A prime number is a number that has exactly two factors, 1 and the number itself. Factor is a number that divides another number evenly i.e., with no
remainder.
Question:
A factor tree is a diagram used to determine the prime factors of a natural number greater
than one.
1.
Divide 36
by 2
36 / 2 = 18
quotient
* divisor = dividend
18 * 2 = 36
2.
Write 36
as12 * 2 in the factor tree. 2 is a prime number so divide 18 by 2 = 9
3.
Write 12
as 2 * 9 in the factor tree. 2 is a prime number so divide 9 by 2. 9 cannot be
evenly divided by 2 so divide 9 by 3 = 3.
4. Write 6 as 3 * 3 in the factor tree. 3 and 3 are prime factors so it is fully factorized.
5.
An index number is a number which is raised to a power.
e.g. m * m * m *
m* m = m5
6.
36 = 2 * 2 * 3 * 3
36 = 22
* 32