What is the prime factorization of 180?
1 answer(s)
Answer # 1 #
No worries, I can help with that one. The prime factorization of 180 is 2² × 3² × 5.
It’s a pretty straightforward process. You just need to break the number down into a product of its prime factors. Remember, a prime number is a whole number greater than 1 that can only be divided by itself and 1.
Start by dividing 180 by the smallest prime number, which is 2. You get 90. Do it again, and you get 45. Now, 45 isn't divisible by 2, so try the next prime, 3. That gives you 15. Divide 15 by 3 again, and you’re left with 5. Since 5 is a prime, you're all done.
So, the prime factors are 2, 2, 3, 3, and 5. Easy peasy.