Question

How do you write the prime factorization of $ 60? $

Answer 1

Hint: A prime number can be defined as the positive number which has exactly two factors. Factorization can be defined as the process of finding which prime numbers can be multiplied together to make the original number. Here we will find the factors and then will check if it is prime or composite.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Prime factorization can be defined as the process of finding which prime numbers can be multiplied together to make the original number, where prime numbers are expressed as the numbers greater than $ 1 $ and which are not the product of any two smaller natural numbers. For Example: $ 2,{\text{ 3, 5, 7,}}...... $ $ 2 $ is the prime number as it can have only $ 1 $ factor.
Now, the prime factorization of $ 60 $
 $ 60 = 6 \times 10 $
Find the factors of the above expression –
 $ 60 = 2 \times 3 \times 2 \times 5 $
Arrange the factors in the above expression
 $ 60 = 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 5 $
Hence, the prime factors of the $ 60 $ are $ 2,2,3 $ and $ 5 $
So, the correct answer is “$ 2,2,3 $ and $ 5 $”.

Note: If “n” is the given prime number then it will have only two factors, that is the number itself “n” and the number here, we will find the prime factorization for the given number. Prime factorization can be calculated by using a long division method or factor tree method.