Prime Factorization Calculator

A prime number has exactly two factors: 1 and itself. Prime factorization writes a whole number as a product of prime numbers.

Example: 60 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5. The shorter exponent form is 2² × 3 × 5.

Start with 2: If the number is even, divide by 2 until the quotient is odd.

Try small primes: Test 3, 5, 7, and the next primes. Keep dividing by a prime while it divides evenly.

When to stop: Once your next possible factor is larger than the square root of the remaining quotient, that quotient is prime.

Check: Multiply the prime factors. Their product must equal the starting number.