Factors, Prime Numbers & Com-
posite Numbers
ARD
Definition
• Product – An answer to a
multiplication problem.
7 x 8 = 56
Product
Definition
• Factor – a number that is mul-
tiplied by another to give a
product.
7 x 8 = 56
Factors
Definition
• Factor – a number that divides
evenly into another number.
56 ÷ 8 = 7
Factors
Test yourself…
What are the factors and products?
1) 6 x 7 = 42 Factors: 6 and 7
Product: 42
2) 63 ÷ 9 = 7 Factors: 7 and 9
Product: 63
3) 8 x 5 = 40 Factors: 5 and 8
Product: 40
Definition
• Prime Number – a number that
has only two factors, itself and 1.
Example: 7 is prime because the only
numbers that will divide into it evenly are
1 and 7.
Examples of Prime Numbers
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17,
19, 23, 29, 31, 37…
Definition
• Composite number – a number
that has more than two factors.
Example: The number 8.
The factors of 8 are 1, 2, 4, 8.
Examples of Composite Numbers
4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14,
15, 16, 18, 20, 21, …
One is special because . . .
One is not prime. One is not
(because it does Composite.
not have exactly (because it does
two different not have more
factors). than 2 factors).
Definition
• Prime Factorization – A way to write
a composite number as the product of
its prime factors.
2 x 2 x 3 = 12
or
2 x 3 = 12
2
How to do a Prime Factorization
- - Factor Tree Method - -
48
Step 1 – Write down any
2 x 24
composite number.
Step 2 – Start dividing by
the prime #s (start with 2).
If the composite number is divisible
by 2, write it down and find the next factor.
If not, check if the factor is evenly
divisible by 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.
How to do a Prime Factorization
- - Factor Tree Method - -
48
Step 3 – Check the factors.
If they are prime, you are done. 2 x 24
If they are not, proceed to Step 4.
2 x 2x
12
Step 4 – Continue dividing.
If one of the factors is
divisible by 2, write it down
and find the next factor.
If not, check if the factor is evenly
divisible by 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.
How to do a Prime Factorization
- - Factor Tree Method - -
48
Step 5 – Check the factors.
If they are prime, proceed to Step 6. 2 x 24
If they are not, repeat Step 4.
2 x 2 x 12
2 x 2 x 2 x 6
How to do a Prime Factorization
- - Factor Tree Method - -
48
Step 5 – Check the factors.
If they are prime, proceed to Step 6. 2 x 24
If they are not, repeat Step 4.
2 x 2 x 12
2 x 2 x 2 x 6
Step 6 – Write the
Prime Factorization in 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3
Exponential Form.
24 x 3 = 48
Find the Prime Factorization
4
Prime Factorization
2x2
2 =4
Prime Factorization
in Exponential Form 2
Find the Prime Factorization
6
Prime Factorization
2 x 3= 6
Find the Prime Factorization
27
3x9
Prime Factorization
3x3x3
Prime Factorization
in Exponential Form
3 = 27
3
Find the Prime Factorization
12
2x6
Prime Factorization
2x2x3
2 x 3 = 12
2
Prime Factorization
in Exponential Form
Find the Prime Factorization
18
2x9
Prime Factorization
2x3x3
2 x 3 = 18
2
Prime Factorization
in Exponential Form
You Have Options
The following screens illustrate another
method that you can use to find the Prime
Factorization of a Composite Number.
Try it! You may
like it better.
How to do a Prime Factorization
- - Ladder Method - -
Step 1 – Write down any 2 18
composite number. 9
Step 2 – Start dividing by the
prime #s (start with 2).
If the composite number is divisible by 2,
write it on the left of the L and write the
other factor below the original composite #.
If not, check if the number is evenly divisible
by 3, 5, etc.
How to do a Prime Factorization
- - Ladder Method - -
Step 3 – Check the factors. 2 18
If they are prime, proceed to Step 6.
3 9
If not, continue the process. Prime
3
#
Step 4 – Continue dividing the # on the next
rung of the ladder by the prime #s (start with 2).
Step 5 – Repeat this process until the # on
the next rung of the ladder is prime.
How to do a Prime Factorization
- - Ladder Method - -
2 18
Step 6 – Write the
Prime Factorization in 3 9
Exponential Form. 3
Prime
Factorization 2 3 3
x x
Prime Factorization
in Exponential Form 2 32x
Find the Prime Factorization
- - Ladder Method - -
2 56
2 28
2 14
Prime
7
#
Prime Prime Factorization
Factorization 2 2 2 7
x x x
in Exponential Form 23 7
x
Summary
• One is not a prime or composite number.
• Two is the only even prime number.
• Not all odd numbers are prime.
(examples: 9, 15, 21, 27, 33, 35, …)
• All composite numbers can be written as
product of prime numbers.
The End
