Prime Factorization Calculator
The prime factorization calculator will take any number and find its prime factors. Simply type the number into our tool and in no time you'll find the prime factorization.
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What is a prime factor?
Prime factors are factors of a number that are themselves prime numbers. For example, suppose we want to find the factors of 20, that is, we want to know what whole numbers multiply to give you 20. We know that 1 * 20 = 20, 2 * 10 = 20 and 4 * 5 = 20. But notice that 20, 10 and 4 are not prime factors. The only prime factors of 20 are 2 and 5.
What is prime factorization?
Prime factorization is when we break a number down into factors that are only prime numbers. If we look at the above example with 20, the factors are 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20. The best place to start is to find at least one initial factor that is prime. Since 5 is prime, we can start with 4 * 5. Notice that 4 is not prime, so we break 4 down into 2 * 2. Since 2 is prime, the prime factorization of 20 is 2 * 2 * 5. Go ahead and check this result with our prime factorization calculator.