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Finding prime numbers for large numbers

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Intern
Joined: 04 Mar 2012
Posts: 1

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Finding prime numbers for large numbers [#permalink]

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27 Mar 2012, 16:29
Hi, I was wondering if there is a quick way to find the prime factors of a number like 720. How would I know that 720 = 2^4 x3^2 x5 without a lot of trial and error. Thanks?

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Manager
Joined: 03 Feb 2012
Posts: 55

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Location: United States (WI)
Concentration: Other
Schools: University of Wisconsin (Madison) - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 680 Q46 V38
GMAT 2: 760 Q48 V46
GPA: 3.66
WE: Marketing (Manufacturing)
Re: Finding prime numbers for large numbers [#permalink]

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27 Mar 2012, 17:11
The best suggestion I can give is to do LOTS of prime factorization - get fast.

This is how I'd go at 720.

$$720$$
$$72 * 10$$
$$8 * 9 * 5 * 2$$
$$2^3 * 3^2 * 5 * 2$$
$$2^4 * 3^2 * 5$$

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Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
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Location: Pune, India
Re: Finding prime numbers for large numbers [#permalink]

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29 Mar 2012, 00:53
scottaroner wrote:
Hi, I was wondering if there is a quick way to find the prime factors of a number like 720. How would I know that 720 = 2^4 x3^2 x5 without a lot of trial and error. Thanks?

Start by breaking down the number into its components. Use whatever comes to your mind first.

e.g. $$720 = 72*10 = (8*9)*(2*5) = 2^3*3^2*2*5 = 2^4*3^2*5$$

$$365 = 5*73$$ (when I see 365, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is divisible by 5. Don't know which other factors it has so simply divide it by 5 to break it down. 73 is prime.)

$$1064 = 8*133 = 2^3 * 19*7$$ (Since last 3 digits of 1064 i.e. '064' is divisible by 8, 1064 is divisible by 8. I know the multiplication table of 19 so 133 was easy. You could have started by looking for a factor of 133 if you don't the tables)

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Re: Finding prime numbers for large numbers   [#permalink] 29 Mar 2012, 00:53
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