Chapter SR4, Problem 1P

Solution

The prime factorization of 42.

  $2\cdot 3\cdot 7$

Given:

The number, 42.

Concept Used:

Prime factorization of a number is writing a number as a product of prime numbers, where prime numbers are natural number greater than 1 whose have no other factor than 1 and itself.

Calculation:

In order to write the prime factorization of 42, divide the number starting with least prime factors until there is no more composite factors as shown below

  $\begin{array}{l}\text{ 42}\\ \swarrow \searrow \\ \text{ 2 }\cdot \text{ 21}\\ \swarrow \searrow \\ \text{ 3 }\cdot \text{ 7}\end{array}$

Thus, the prime factorization of 42 is $2\cdot 3\cdot 7$ .