Factors and Primes

When two numbers are multiplied together they result in a product. The two numbers multiplied together are called factors. So for the equation 5 x 6 = 30. 5 and 6 are both factors, and 30 is the product.

A prime number is any counting number other than 1, that can only be divided by itself and 1. Examples of prime numbers are 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19.

A composite number is any number that can be expressed as the product of two smaller numbers. The following are examples of composite numbers:

4 = 2 x 2

6 = 2 x 3

8 = 2 x 4 (or 2 x 2 x 2)

Every composite number can be written as a product of prime numbers. The process of determining the prime factors of a composite number is called factoring. Example:

16 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2

60 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 5

75 = 3 x 5 x 5

Factor trees can help you determine the prime factorization. For example:

Peer Support

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Reducing Fractions

Work through the following tests to make sure you are comfortable with the material.