how do you find the prime factorization of a number?

Answer 1

it is simple, you just use the factor tree. you keep on dividing the numbers until they are all prime, its very simple. but you have to remember on thing, 2 is a prime number too!

Answer 2

You can use something I learned in 6th grade. It is called the factoring tree. Here is an example:

144
/\
12 12
/\ /\
3 4 3 4
/ /\ / /\
3 22 3 22

the prime factors of 144 is 3,2,2,3,2,2

try it with another number

Answer 3

there are many methods....some are very complex

for small integers, one can use manual method (trial division)... (divide by 2, divide by 3, divide by 5 and so on)...

for very large numbers, many complex algorithms are used...

some methods: Brent's Factorization Method, Class Group Factorization Method, Continued Fraction Factorization Algorithm, Direct Search Factorization, Dixon's Factorization Method, Elliptic Curve Factorization Method, Euler's Factorization Method, Excludent Factorization Method, Fermat's Factorization Method, Legendre's Factorization Method, Lenstra Elliptic Curve Method, Number Field Sieve, Pollard p-1 Factorization Method, Pollard rho Factorization Algorithm, Prime Factorization, Prime Number, Quadratic Sieve, Quiteprime, Trial Division, Veryprime, Williams p+1 Factorization Method.

(see: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PrimeFactorizationAlgorithms.html for more details)

to motivate you enough, there is a factorisation challenge... if you can factorise a 617 digit prime, then you can receive $200000 from rsa (see http://www.rsasecurity.com/rsalabs/node.asp?id=2093 )

Answer 4

See This Website:

Answer 5

go on dividing by prime nos till you get a quotient of 1
e.g.1024=2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2=2^10
729=3*3*3*3*3*3=3^6 and so on

Answer 6

ex. 246
246=2x123
123=3x41
answer 246=2x3x41

Answer 7

use a factor tree. i havn't done it in a while though

Answer 8

http://amby.com/educate/math/2-1_fact.html
http://www.eduplace.com/math/mathsteps/5/b/index.html