# What does prime factorization mean?

a prime factor is a number that has no multiples other than itself and the number one.

so if you had to break down the number 12, the best to start working is from the smallest prime number, which is 2, so:

12 ÷ 2 = 6

but 6 is not a prime number, so we need to finish factoring it:

6 ÷ 2 = 3

And 3 is a prime number, so:

12 = 2 × 2 × 3

Break the number down to its simplest form. Like 64 would be 4 * 8 2*2 4x2 2x2x2 So the final answer would be 2x2x2x2x2 You have to take the number and break it down into all prime numbers. hope this helps!!

it helps making a factor tree.

12 ^ 6 2 ^ 2 3

all the numbers that cant be broken down, will equal the number you're looking for. so 2×3×2 = 12 !
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