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Prime Factorizations

Lots of times, the numbers won't be times table answers.

Check it out...

Find the prime factorization of  :

Where do we start on this guy?

It's easy to see that 5 goes in, so we'll start there!


525 splits into 5 and 105 ... 5 goes in again ... 105 splits into 5 and 21 ... 21 splits into 3 and 7 ... Either grab a calculator or do some long division.

 

525 = 3 x 5 x 5 x 7

525 = 3 x 5^2 x 7

 

BIG TIP:  Always look for 2's, 3's or 5's to start!