Factor trees are a visual way to break down a number into its prime factors. To create a factor tree, you repeatedly divide the number into factors until you reach only prime numbers. Here’s how it works with two examples:
Example 1: Factorizing 60
- Start with 60:
- Find two factors of 60, such as 6 and 10.
- Write 60 at the top and draw branches to 6 and 10.
- Factorize 6:
- 6 can be broken down into 2 and 3 (both are prime).
- Draw branches from 6 to 2 and 3.
Factorize 10:
- 10 can be broken down into 2 and 5 (both are prime).
- Draw branches from 10 to 2 and 5.
Complete Tree:
- The factor tree for 60 will have the prime factors 2, 2, 3, and 5.
