How Do You Find the Prime Factor of a Number?

To find the prime factors of a number, follow these steps:

1. Start with the smallest prime number: Begin by dividing the number by the smallest prime number, which is 2. If the number is even, divide it by 2. If it’s odd, proceed to the next prime number, which is 3.
2. Check for divisibility: Keep dividing the number by the prime number as long as it is divisible. Once it is no longer divisible, move to the next prime number (5, 7, 11, etc.) and repeat this process.
3. Continue until you reach 1: Continue this process of dividing by prime numbers until the result is 1. The prime numbers you used to divide are the prime factors of the original number.

For example, to find the prime factors of 28:

1. Divide 28 by 2 (the smallest prime number): 28 ÷ 2 = 14
2. Divide 14 by 2: 14 ÷ 2 = 7 (2 is used twice)
3. 7 is a prime number, so we stop here.

Thus, the prime factors of 28 are 2, 2, and 7, or we can write it as 2² × 7.