The prime factorization of 198 is 2 × 3² × 11.
To find this, we start by dividing 198 by the smallest prime number, which is 2. Since 198 is even, we can do this:
198 ÷ 2 = 99
Next, we factor 99. The sum of the digits (9 + 9 = 18) tells us that 99 is divisible by 3. So, we divide by 3:
99 ÷ 3 = 33
We can factor 33 further by again dividing by 3:
33 ÷ 3 = 11
Finally, 11 is a prime number and cannot be factored any further.
Putting it all together, we have:
198 = 2 × 3 × 3 × 11, which can also be written as 2 × 3² × 11.