Prime Factorisation

Prime factorisation or complete factorisation of the given number is to express a given number as a product of prime factor.

When a number is expressed as the product of its prime factors, it is called prime factorization.

For example, 15 = 3 × 5. So, 3 and 5 are prime factors of 15.

Prime factors of a number are always the prime numbers, when a number is expressed as product of prime numbers, it is called prime factorization. Prime factorization can be done, using two methods: division method and factor tree method.

HCF of two or more numbers can be obtained by prime factorization. To find the HCF by prime factorization, we first find all the prime factors of the given numbers and then find the product of all the common prime factors. The product is the HCF of the given numbers.

Factor Tree Method:

We write pairs of factors for the given number in circles which make branches of a factor tree. 

Division Method:

Divide the given numbers by the smallest prime number. Continue the division until it is not further divisible. Factorization stops when we reach a prime number.

Observe the following examples of Prime factorization in two methods i.e., Factor Tree Method and Division Method.

1. Let us check this process by making a factor tree for the number 24.

Working Rules to Find the Prime Factorization using Factor Tree Method:

Step I: Write the given number as a product of two numbers, i.e., a pair of numbers. (See level 1).

Step II: If possible, write one of the two numbers as obtained in step 1 (level 1) as a product of another pair of numbers. (See level 2).

Step III: Repeat the steps I to II till you get all the prime factors (see level 3).

We get the same factors in each box at the last level i.e, level 3

The factors 2 and 3 are thus prime numbers.

Prime Factorization Property: Every number greater than 1 has exactly one prime factorization.

Prime Factorization Working Rules:

Step I:  Divide the number by the least (smallest) prime number.

Step II: Continue the process until a prime number is obtained as the remainder

2. Find prime factorization of 36.

Prime factorisation of 36 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3.

                                     = 2² × 3².

[Here two ways to solve factorisation one is tree factorisation method and the other one is by dividing.]

3. Find prime factorisation of 32.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 32 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2.

                                    = 2⁵.

4. Find prime factorization of 51.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 51 = 3 × 17.

                                    = 3¹ × 17¹

                                    = 3 × 17.

5. Draw a factor tree to show the prime factorization of 54.

Solution:

6. Find prime factorization of 57.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 57 = 3 × 19

                                    = 3¹ × 19¹

                                    = 3 × 19.

7. Find prime factorization of 60.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 60 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5.

                                    = 2² × 3 × 5.



8. Find prime factorisation of 63.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 63 = 3 × 3 × 7.

                                    = 3² × 7.



9. Find prime factorisation of 72.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 72 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3.

                                    = 2³ × 3².



10. Find prime factorisation of 75.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 75 = 3 × 5 × 5.

                                    = 3 × 5².



11. Find prime factorisation of 78.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 78 = 2 × 3 × 13.



12. Find prime factorisation of 93.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 93 = 3 × 31.

13. Find prime factorisation of 102.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 102 = 2 × 3 × 17.



14. Find prime factorisation of 120.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 120 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 5.

                                      = 2³ × 3 × 5.



15. Find prime factorisation of 225.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 225 = 3 × 3 × 5 × 5.

                                      = 3² × 5².



16. Find prime factorisation of 243.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 243 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3.

                                      = 3⁵.



17. Find prime factorization of 360.

Solution:

Prime factorisation of 360 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5.

                                      = 2³ × 3² × 5.

Frequently asked questions on Prime Factorization:

1. What is Prime Factorization? 

The factorization is a process by which a whole number is broken down (factorized) into factors and if each factor is a prime number, then such factorization of a number is called the prime factorization.

2. Prime  Factorization of 30 is

(i) 2 × 15;     (ii) 5 × 6;     (iii) 6 × 5;     (iv) 2 × 3 × 5

Solution:

30 = 2 × 3 × 5

Therefore, the option (iv) is the correct answer.

3. Find the prime factorization of 24 using Division Method.

Solution:

Hence, the prime factorization of 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3

Worksheet on Prime Factorization:

I. Find the prime factors of the given number through prime factorization. First one is shown as an example for you.

(i) 144

(ii) 81

(iii) 72

(iv) 48

(v) 100

(vi) 64

(vii) 108

(viii) 248

(ix) 256

● Factors.

● Common Factors.

● Prime Factor.

● Repeated Prime Factors.

● Highest Common Factor (H.C.F).

● Examples on Highest Common Factor (H.C.F).

● Greatest Common Factor (G.C.F).

● Examples of Greatest Common Factor (G.C.F).

● Prime Factorisation.

● To find Highest Common Factor by using Prime Factorization Method.

● Examples to find Highest Common Factor by using Prime Factorization Method.

● To find Highest Common Factor by using Division Method.

● Examples to find Highest Common Factor of two numbers by using Division Method.

● To find the Highest Common Factor of three numbers by using Division Method.

5th Grade Numbers Page

5th Grade Math Problems

From Prime Factorization to HOME PAGE