22. Problem: Factor into primes

250

Step 1) Find 2 factors of 250 that when multiplied together equal 250.

50 5 = 250

Set it up like this:

250

50 5

Step 2) Since 5 is prime, leave it alone. 50 is not prime so you need to find 2 factors of it like you did with 250.

10 5 = 50

Set it up like this:

250

50 5

10 5

Step 3) Once again, 5 is prime so leave it alone. 10 is not prime so find 2 factors of it

2 5 = 10

Set it up like this:

250

50 5

10 5

2 5

Step 4) 2 and 5 are both prime. You’re now left with the numbers 2, 5, 5, and 5. These are all prime numbers so you now have to set these numbers up in a multiplication problem. You do this because when you multiply them all together, you get 250.

2 5 5 5 (You do not write the answer)

5 5 5 is the same as 5.

Your answer becomes 2 5.