About Prime Factorization:

Whole numbers larger than one fall into one of two categories: prime or composite. A prime number is one that is only divisible by itself or one. A composite number is divisible by some number other than itself or one. It will be useful for us to be able to break a number down into the product of prime factors.


Test Objectives
  • Demonstrate the ability to determine if a whole number is prime, composite, or neither
  • Demonstrate the ability to construct a factor tree
  • Demonstrate the ability to use a factor tree to find the prime factorization of a whole number
Prime Factorization Practice Test:

#1:

Instructions: Determine if each number is prime, composite, or neither.

a) 17

b) 1

c) 150

d) 12

e) 13

f) 23

g) 110


#2:

Instructions: Write each as a product of prime factors.

a) 135

b) 1800


#3:

Instructions: Write each as a product of prime factors.

a) 680

b) 12,600


#4:

Instructions: Write each as a product of prime factors.

a) 468

b) 3420


#5:

Instructions: Write each as a product of prime factors.

a) 10,296

b) 2205


Written Solutions:

#1:

Solutions:

a) 17 - prime

b) 1 - neither

c) 150 - composite

d) 12 - composite

e) 13 - prime

f) 23 - prime

g) 110 - composite


#2:

Solutions:

a) 135 = 33 x 5

b) 1800 = 23 x 32 x 52


#3:

Solutions:

a) 680 = 23 x 5 x 17

b) 12,600 = 23 x 32 x 52 x 7


#4:

Solutions:

a) 468 = 22 x 32 x 13

b) 3420 = 22 x 32 x 5 x 19


#5:

Solutions:

a) 10,296 = 23 x 32 x 11 x 13

b) 2205 = 32 x 5 x 72