A worked example
360 breaks down into the prime factorization 2³ × 3² × 5, with 24 factors in total.
Frequently asked questions
Why are factors found in pairs?
Every factor divides the number evenly along with a matching partner — if 4 divides into 36 evenly, so does 36÷4=9, which is why factors are found by checking up to the square root and pairing each result.
What's the practical use of prime factorization?
It's the foundation for finding GCF and LCM efficiently, simplifying fractions, and underlies cryptographic systems like RSA, which rely on how hard it is to factor very large numbers.