How do you write the prime factorization of 72?

1 Answer

72=2xx36=2xx2xx18=2xx2xx2xx3xx3=2^3xx3^2

Explanation:

72 is even, so we can divide by 2 (and keep dividing by 2 until we no longer can):

72=2xx36=2xx2xx18=2xx2xx2xx9

And now we move on to 3:

72=2xx36=2xx2xx18=2xx2xx2xx3xx3