Q: What is the prime factorization of the number 37,422,246?

 A:
  • The prime factors are: 2 x 3 x 47 x 131 x 1,013
    • or also written as { 2, 3, 47, 131, 1,013 }
  • Written in exponential form: 21 x 31 x 471 x 1311 x 1,0131

Why is the prime factorization of 37,422,246 written as 21 x 31 x 471 x 1311 x 1,0131?

What is prime factorization?

Prime factorization or prime factor decomposition is the process of finding which prime numbers can be multiplied together to make the original number.

Finding the prime factors of 37,422,246

To find the prime factors, you start by dividing the number by the first prime number, which is 2. If there is not a remainder, meaning you can divide evenly, then 2 is a factor of the number. Continue dividing by 2 until you cannot divide evenly anymore. Write down how many 2's you were able to divide by evenly. Now try dividing by the next prime factor, which is 3. The goal is to get to a quotient of 1.

If it doesn't make sense yet, let's try it...

Here are the first several prime factors: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29...

Let's start by dividing 37,422,246 by 2

37,422,246 ÷ 2 = 18,711,123 - No remainder! 2 is one of the factors!
18,711,123 ÷ 2 = 9,355,561.5 - There is a remainder. We can't divide by 2 evenly anymore. Let's try the next prime number
18,711,123 ÷ 3 = 6,237,041 - No remainder! 3 is one of the factors!
6,237,041 ÷ 3 = 2,079,013.6667 - There is a remainder. We can't divide by 3 evenly anymore. Let's try the next prime number
6,237,041 ÷ 5 = 1,247,408.2 - This has a remainder. 5 is not a factor.
6,237,041 ÷ 7 = 891,005.8571 - This has a remainder. 7 is not a factor.
6,237,041 ÷ 11 = 567,003.7273 - This has a remainder. 11 is not a factor.
...
Keep trying increasingly larger numbers until you find one that divides evenly.
...
6,237,041 ÷ 47 = 132,703 - No remainder! 47 is one of the factors!
132,703 ÷ 47 = 2,823.4681 - There is a remainder. We can't divide by 47 evenly anymore. Let's try the next prime number
132,703 ÷ 53 = 2,503.8302 - This has a remainder. 53 is not a factor.
132,703 ÷ 59 = 2,249.2034 - This has a remainder. 59 is not a factor.
132,703 ÷ 61 = 2,175.459 - This has a remainder. 61 is not a factor.
...
Keep trying increasingly larger numbers until you find one that divides evenly.
...
132,703 ÷ 131 = 1,013 - No remainder! 131 is one of the factors!
1,013 ÷ 131 = 7.7328 - There is a remainder. We can't divide by 131 evenly anymore. Let's try the next prime number
1,013 ÷ 137 = 7.3942 - This has a remainder. 137 is not a factor.
1,013 ÷ 139 = 7.2878 - This has a remainder. 139 is not a factor.
1,013 ÷ 149 = 6.7987 - This has a remainder. 149 is not a factor.
...
Keep trying increasingly larger numbers until you find one that divides evenly.
...
1,013 ÷ 1,013 = 1 - No remainder! 1,013 is one of the factors!

The orange divisor(s) above are the prime factors of the number 37,422,246. If we put all of it together we have the factors 2 x 3 x 47 x 131 x 1,013 = 37,422,246. It can also be written in exponential form as 21 x 31 x 471 x 1311 x 1,0131.

Factor Tree

Another way to do prime factorization is to use a factor tree. Below is a factor tree for the number 37,422,246.

37,422,246
Factor Arrows
218,711,123
Factor Arrows
36,237,041
Factor Arrows
47132,703
Factor Arrows
1311,013

More Prime Factorization Examples

37,422,24437,422,24537,422,24737,422,248
22 x 371 x 1491 x 1,697151 x 71 x 1,069,2071671 x 558,541123 x 191 x 1911 x 1,2891

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