Directory Image
This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

What exactly is a prime number and what is its formula

Author: Riki William
by Riki William
Posted: May 07, 2022
prime factorization

To understand prime factorization, we must first define what a prime number is. A prime number is one whose only elements are one and itself; it cannot be generated by multiplying two lesser natural numbers. One important element to remember is that the two factors must be distinct, hence 1 is not a prime number since both factors of 1 are the same. For example, 5 is a prime number since it has just two factors: 1 and 5. 6 is not a prime because, in addition to 1 and 6, there are two additional components - 2 and 3.

There are an unlimited amount of primes, and there is no easy formula for determining whether or not a number is a prime. That's why our prime factorization calculator is such a versatile tool - it can also be used as a prime number calculator!

What exactly is a prime factor?

Prime Factors are number factors that are prime numbers in and of themselves. For example, assume we wish to identify the factors of 20, that is, what whole integers multiply to give us 20. We know that 1 * 20 equals 20, 2 * 10 equals 20, and 4 * 5 equals 20. However, 20, 10, and 4 are not prime factors. The only prime factors in the number 20 are 2 and 5. You may also get these factors by using our factor calculator.

What exactly is prime factorization?

When we divide a number into components that are solely prime numbers, we call this prime factorization. In the following example, the components are 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, and 20. Finding at least one prime initial component is a good place to start. Because 5 is a prime number, we may begin with 4 * 5. Because 4 is not a prime number, we divide it by 2 * 2. Because 2 is a prime number, the prime factorization of 20 is 2 * 2 * 5. Check use our prime factorization calculator to confirm this conclusion.

Understanding the Prime Factorization Formula

Let us first define prime factorization before learning the prime factorization formula. It is a method of representing a number as a product of its prime components. "Every composite number can be factorized as a product of primes, and this factorization is unique, aside from the order in which the prime factors appear," asserts the basic theorem of arithmetic. The prime factorization formula may be used to calculate the prime factorization of any integer.

What Is the Formula for Prime Factorization?

Any composite number may be expressed as the product of powers of prime numbers, and this method of expressing the composite number as the product is known as prime factorization. Any number's prime factorization formula is as follows:

N = Xa × Yb × Zc

where,

N = any integer

X, Y, and Z are prime factors of N.

A, b, and c are the exponents of the prime factors X, Y, and Z.

How do you discover a number's prime factorization?

To compute the prime factorization of any integer, use the following approach and formulas:

1. Method of Division

The techniques for calculating a number's prime factors are identical to the steps for determining the factors of any number.

Begin by dividing the number by the lowest prime number, i.e., 2, then by 3, 5, and so on to discover the number's smallest prime component.

Divide the quotient by the lowest prime number once more.

Repeat the method until the quotient after repeated division equals one.

Finally, express the number as the sum of all prime factors.

2. Factor Tree Technique

Represent the provided number as a tree.

As the root, keep the number in the middle.

Divide the number by its lowest prime factor, then express the result as a number in one branch.

Rep the above point for the quotient obtained in the other branch until you have 1 as the factor for the remaining number.

Every branch of the resulting tree will ultimately terminate in a prime integer.

About the Author

Ricky is a graduate of computer science engineering, a writer and marketing consultant. he continues to study on Nano technology and its resulting benefits to achieving almost there.

Rate this Article
Leave a Comment
Author Thumbnail
I Agree:
Comment 
Pictures
Author: Riki William
Premium Member

Riki William

Member since: Feb 11, 2017
Published articles: 1770

Related Articles