How do you write 42 as a product of its prime factors?

1 Answer
Sep 22, 2016

#42=2xx3xx7#

Explanation:

The lowest #color(blue)"prime number"# is 2. So we begin by dividing 42 by 2.

#rArr42÷color(red)(2) =21#

Now 21 cannot be divided by 2 so we now divide by the next highest #color(blue)"prime number"# which is 3.

#rArr21÷color(red)(3)=7#

Now 7 is a #color(blue)"prime number"#

#rArr7÷color(red)(7)=1# when we reach 1 we stop there.

Prime factors of 42 are #color(red)(2,3" and " 7)#

and as a product of prime factors, means expressing them in multiplication form.

#rArr42=2xx3xx7larr" product of prime factors"#