What is the prime factorization of 124?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the prime factorization of the number 124, which involves breaking it down into its prime factors.
Answer
The prime factorization of 124 is $2^2 \times 31$.
Answer for screen readers
The prime factorization of 124 is $2^2 \times 31$.
Steps to Solve
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Start with the number
We begin with the number 124 and need to find its prime factors. -
Divide by the smallest prime
The smallest prime number is 2. We check if 124 is divisible by 2:
$$ 124 \div 2 = 62 $$
So, we can write:
$$ 124 = 2 \times 62 $$ -
Repeat the division
Now we need to factor 62. Check if 62 is divisible by 2:
$$ 62 \div 2 = 31 $$
So, now we have:
$$ 124 = 2 \times 2 \times 31 $$ -
Identify the last factor
Next, we check if 31 is a prime number. It cannot be divided by 2, 3, 5, or any prime less than its square root, which is approximately 5.57. Hence, 31 is prime. -
Write the complete factorization
Now we can express the complete prime factorization of 124:
$$ 124 = 2^2 \times 31 $$
The prime factorization of 124 is $2^2 \times 31$.
More Information
Prime factorization is a way of expressing a number as the product of its prime factors. For 124, the factors are two 2's and one 31, which are all prime numbers.
Tips
- Forgetting to check if a factor is prime can lead to incorrect factorizations. Always verify if your factors are prime before concluding.
