Prime Factor for Dummies
noun
What does Prime Factor really mean?
Alright, let's dive into the fascinating world of prime factors! Don't worry if it sounds a bit confusing at first, I'm here to guide you through it step by step.
So, imagine that you have a number, let's say 12. Now, this number can be broken down into smaller numbers that multiply together to give you that number. In the case of 12, we can break it down into 2 and 6. And guess what? We can continue breaking down 6 into even smaller numbers! It can be broken down into 2 and 3.
Now, here comes the important part. A prime factor is a number that's not only smaller than the number we're trying to break down but also a prime number. Okay, let me explain prime numbers real quick. Prime numbers are those numbers that can only be divided evenly by 1 and themselves. So, for example, 2, 3, 5, and 7 are all prime numbers.
So, back to our example. If we list all the prime factors of 12, we get 2 and 3 since those are the prime numbers that can divide evenly into 12. These prime factors are basically the building blocks of the number 12 because if we multiply them together (2 x 2 x 3), we get back to the original number, 12.
Now, there might be cases when a number can have more than one set of prime factors. For instance, let's take the number 30. If we break it down, we get 2 x 3 x 5. So 30 has three prime factors: 2, 3, and 5. It's like building a Lego house using different types of Lego blocks.
So, to sum it all up, a prime factor is a special number that is both a prime number and can divide evenly into the original number we're trying to break down. These prime factors are like the key ingredients that make up a number, just like different Lego blocks can be used to build something cool.
So, imagine that you have a number, let's say 12. Now, this number can be broken down into smaller numbers that multiply together to give you that number. In the case of 12, we can break it down into 2 and 6. And guess what? We can continue breaking down 6 into even smaller numbers! It can be broken down into 2 and 3.
Now, here comes the important part. A prime factor is a number that's not only smaller than the number we're trying to break down but also a prime number. Okay, let me explain prime numbers real quick. Prime numbers are those numbers that can only be divided evenly by 1 and themselves. So, for example, 2, 3, 5, and 7 are all prime numbers.
So, back to our example. If we list all the prime factors of 12, we get 2 and 3 since those are the prime numbers that can divide evenly into 12. These prime factors are basically the building blocks of the number 12 because if we multiply them together (2 x 2 x 3), we get back to the original number, 12.
Now, there might be cases when a number can have more than one set of prime factors. For instance, let's take the number 30. If we break it down, we get 2 x 3 x 5. So 30 has three prime factors: 2, 3, and 5. It's like building a Lego house using different types of Lego blocks.
So, to sum it all up, a prime factor is a special number that is both a prime number and can divide evenly into the original number we're trying to break down. These prime factors are like the key ingredients that make up a number, just like different Lego blocks can be used to build something cool.
Revised and Fact checked by Olivia White on 2023-10-28 15:48:03
Prime Factor In a sentece
Learn how to use Prime Factor inside a sentece
- To find the prime factors of the number 12, we need to find the smaller numbers that can be multiplied together to make 12. The prime factors of 12 are 2 and 3, because 2 × 2 × 3 equals 12.
- Let's find the prime factors of the number 20. We can see that 20 can be divided evenly by 2, so the prime factor of 20 is 2. Now, we divide the result (10) by 2 again and get 5. Therefore, the prime factors of 20 are 2 and 5.
- Suppose we have the number 36. By dividing it by 2, we get 18. Then, dividing 18 by 2 gives us 9. Continuing this process, we divide 9 by 3 and get 3, which cannot be divided further. So, the prime factors of 36 are 2, 2, 3, and 3.
- Let's determine the prime factors of 48. First, divide 48 by 2, which gives us 24. Again, we divide 24 by 2 and get 12. Dividing 12 by 2, we get 6. Now, divide 6 by 2, and we have 3 left. Therefore, the prime factors of 48 are 2, 2, 2, 2, and 3.
- Consider the number 75. We start by dividing it by 3, which gives us 25. Now, dividing 25 by 5, we get 5. We can't divide 5 any further, so the prime factors of 75 are 3, 5, and 5.
Prime Factor Hypernyms
Words that are more generic than the original word.