How do you make a prime factorization tree?

1 Answer
Mar 12, 2018

As detailed below.

Explanation:

Prime factorization is the method of representing a number in the form of its prime factors. Just to recall that prime numbers are the numbers that are divisible only by 1 and itself.

Prime factors are the prime numbers by which the given number is divisible. When the prime factors of a number are multiplied, we obtain the given number.

The tree method of prime factorization is very simple and quite useful in order to calculate lowest common multiple (LCM) and highest common factor (HCF).

The factors in this method may be obtained using different combinations but the prime factors of a number will always be unique.

In prime factorization tree method, we are supposed to follow the following steps:
Step 1 : Divide the given number in two factors.

Step 2 : Now divide these two factors into other two multiples.

Step 3 : Repeat the step 2 until we reach all prime factors.

Step 4 : All the prime factors so obtained collectively known as prime factors of given number. In order to cross check; multiply all the prime factors, you must get the given number.

We can illustrate prime factorization tree method through a simple example. Let’s draw the factor tree for number 48.

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