Understanding Prime Factors and Factor Trees
Prime numbers are the building blocks of all numbers - they only divide by themselves and 1 (like 2, 3, 5, 7, 11). Think of them as mathematical atoms that can't be broken down further.
A prime factor tree helps you break any number down into these basic building blocks. For example, to find the prime factors of 72, you keep dividing until you're left with only prime numbers.
Starting with 72, you might divide by 8 and 9, then break those down further until you get 72 = 3 × 3 × 2 × 2 × 2. In index form, this becomes 3² × 2³, which is much tidier to write.
Quick Tip: Always start your factor tree with any factors you can spot easily - there's no single "correct" way to draw it, as long as you end up with prime numbers at the bottom!
