Prime Factorization and the Least Common Multiple: example 2.50

Find the prime factorization of $120$ using the ladder method.

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Find the prime factorization using the ladder method: $80$

How did it go?

Divide the number by the smallest prime, which is 2.
Continue dividing by 2 until it no longer divides evenly.
Divide by the next prime, 3.
The quotient, 5, is prime, so the ladder is complete. Write the prime factorization of 120.	$2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5$ $2^{3} \cdot 3 \cdot 5$

Divide the number by the smallest prime, which is 2.
Continue dividing by 2 until it no longer divides evenly.
Divide by the next prime, 3.
The quotient, 5, is prime, so the ladder is complete. Write the prime factorization of 120.	$2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5$ $2^{3} \cdot 3 \cdot 5$