Understanding Prime Factors Prime Factors are the building blocks of a number, specifically the prime numbers that multiply together to give the original number. A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. Steps to Find Prime Factors Start with the Smallest Prime Number: Begin dividing the number by the smallest prime number, which is 2. Divide and Check for Divisibility: If the number is divisible by 2, divide it by 2 and record 2 as a prime factor. Continue dividing by 2 until the number is no longer divisible by 2. Move to the Next Prime Number: Proceed to the next smallest prime number (3, 5, 7, 11, etc.) and repeat the division process. Repeat Until the Quotient is 1: Continue this process with increasing prime numbers until the quotient becomes 1. List All Prime Factors: The prime factors are all the prime numbers you used to divide the original number. Example: Finding Prime Factors of 56 Divide by 2: 56÷2=2856÷2=28 Record 2 as a prime factor. Divide by 2 Again: 28÷2=1428÷2=14 Record another 2. Divide by 2 Once More: 14÷2=714÷2=7 Record another 2. Divide by 7: 7÷7=17÷7=1 Record 7 as a prime factor. List of Prime Factors: The prime factors of 56 are 2×2×2×72×2×2×7 or 23×723×7. Final Answer Prime Factors are the prime numbers that multiply together to give the original number. To find the prime factors of a number: Divide by the smallest prime number (2) and continue dividing by 2 until it's no longer divisible. Move to the next smallest prime number and repeat the division process. Continue this process until the quotient is 1. List all the prime numbers used in the divisions as the prime factors. Example: Prime factors of 56: 23×723×7 Understanding prime factors is essential for various mathematical operations, including finding the HCF and LCM of numbers, simplifying fractions, and solving problems in number theory. how can we define factors and multiples of 12 No suitable content found Understanding Factors and Multiples of 12 Factors and multiples are fundamental concepts in mathematics that help us understand the relationships between numbers. Let's break down what factors and multiples of 12 are. 1. Factors of 12 Definition: A factor of a number is an integer that divides the number exactly without leaving a remainder. Steps to Find Factors of 12: Start with 1 and the Number Itself: 1 and 12 are always factors of 12 because 1×12=121×12=12. Check Divisibility by Increasing Integers: 2: 12÷2=612÷2=6 → 2 and 6 are factors. 3: 12÷3=412÷3=4 → 3 and 4 are factors. 4: Already listed as a factor. 5: 12÷5=2.412÷5=2.4 → Not a whole number, so 5 is not a factor. Continue this process up to the square root of 12 (approximately 3.46). Since we've already checked up to 3, we can stop here. List All Factors: The factors of 12 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. Example: Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 2. Multiples of 12 Definition: A multiple of a number is the product of that number and an integer. Steps to Find Multiples of 12: Multiply 12 by Integers: Start with 1: 12×1=1212×1=12 Then 2: 12×2=2412×2=24 Then 3: 12×3=3612×3=36 Continue this process to find more multiples. List Some Multiples: The multiples of 12 are: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, ... Example: First 10 Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120 Final Answer Factors of 12: Definition: Integers that divide 12 exactly without leaving a remainder. List of Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 Multiples of 12: Definition: Products of 12 and any integer. List of First 10 Multiples: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120 Understanding factors and multiples is crucial for various mathematical operations, including simplifying fractions, finding common denominators, and solving problems in number theory.