Question

Which factors are not included in the prime factorization of a composite number?

Answer 1

Hint:
We will understand the composite numbers. Then we will do prime factorization of a composite number and understand the numbers that are not included in the prime factorization of composite numbers.

Complete step by step solution:
Composite number is a positive integer that has at least one divisor other than 1 and itself.
For example, the integer 6 is a composite number because it has two divisors 2 and 3 other than 1 and itself.
Let us take a composite number 21.
On prime factorization of 21, we get
 \[21 = 3 \times 7\]
So, 21 can be written as the product of 3 and 7.
So, the factors which are not included in the prime factorization of 21 are 1 and 21. Because 1 and 21 are also factors of 21 but are not prime numbers.
Similarly, 2, 2 and 3 are the prime factors of 12 (composite number).

So, on prime factorization of a composite number, 1 and the number itself are the two factors that are not included in the prime factorization of a composite number.

Note:
Composite numbers are the numbers that are not prime or a unit.
A composite number is a positive integer that can be formed by multiplying two smaller positive integers.