Express 252 as a product of primes.
2023
Express 252 as a product of primes.
- A.
2 * 2 * 3 * 3 * 7
- B.
3 * 3 * 3 * 3 * 7
- C.
2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 7
- D.
2 * 3 * 3 * 3 * 7
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept: Prime factorization expresses a number as a product of prime numbers only, found by repeatedly dividing by the smallest prime that divides it until the quotient becomes 1.
Applying it to 252:
252 ÷ 2 = 126, so 2 is a prime factor.
126 ÷ 2 = 63, so another 2 is a factor.
63 ÷ 3 = 21, so 3 is a factor.
21 ÷ 3 = 7, so another 3 is a factor.
7 ÷ 7 = 1, so 7 is a prime factor.
Cross-check: Multiply the factors back: 2 * 2 * 3 * 3 * 7 = 4 * 9 * 7 = 252, which matches the original number.
Answer: 252 = 2 * 2 * 3 * 3 * 7.