Prime Factorization

Topic

Prime and Composite Numbers

Definition

Prime factorization is the process of breaking down a composite number into a product of its prime factors.

Description

Prime factorization is a fundamental concept in number theory and is essential for understanding the properties of numbers. It involves expressing a composite number as a product of prime numbers, which are numbers greater than 1 that have no divisors other than 1 and themselves. For example, the prime factorization of 28 is 2² • 7, meaning 28 can be broken down into the prime numbers 2 and 7.

Prime factorization is crucial for various applications in mathematics, including simplifying fractions, finding the greatest common divisors, and solving problems related to divisibility. It also plays a significant role in cryptography, particularly in algorithms that rely on the difficulty of factoring large composite numbers into their prime components.

Understanding prime factorization helps students grasp the structure of numbers and the relationships between them. It also provides a foundation for more advanced topics in algebra and number theory.

For a complete collection of terms related to primes and composites click on this link: Prime and Composites Collection.