📚 Topic Summary
Prime factorization is the process of breaking down a composite number into its prime number factors. A prime number is a number greater than 1 that has only two factors: 1 and itself (e.g., 2, 3, 5, 7, 11). Prime factorization helps in simplifying fractions, finding the greatest common factor (GCF), and the least common multiple (LCM). Two common methods for prime factorization are the factor tree and the ladder method.
The factor tree involves branching out factors until all factors are prime. The ladder method, also known as the division method, involves dividing the number by its prime factors successively until you reach 1.
🧠 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the term with its correct definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Prime Factor |
A. A diagram used to find the prime factors of a number. |
| 2. Composite Number |
B. A factor that is also a prime number. |
| 3. Factor Tree |
C. The process of breaking down a number into its prime factors. |
| 4. Prime Factorization |
D. A number with more than two factors. |
| 5. Ladder Method |
E. A method of division used to find the prime factors of a number. |
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph using the words provided: prime, composite, factors, product, ladder.
A __________ number can be broken down into smaller __________. Prime factorization expresses a __________ number as the __________ of its __________ factors. Two methods to find this are factor trees and the __________ method.
💡 Part C: Critical Thinking
Explain in your own words how the factor tree and ladder method are similar and different in finding the prime factorization of a number. Give an example to illustrate your explanation.