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scbguy
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My question regarding Prime Factorization is that, how important is it. And what is the best possible way to find prime factors, and where is it required, ive been doing the MGMAT Book 1, Number properties and have found out about the prime factor box and the factorization column. The prime factor box is useful when ?

As to the best possible way, everyone has his/her own.. But let me share a quick one - Break down the number into smaller and smaller parts till you reach the prime factors e.g.
450 (the first number that came to mind) = 45*10 (always easy when numbers end in 0s) \(= 5*9 * 2*5 = 2*3^2*5^2\)

126 = 6*21 (it struck me first... you can do 2*63 if that strikes you first) =\(2*3 * 3*7 = 2*3^2*7\)

So just split the number into small parts... whatever comes to mind first... you will quickly reach the prime factors...
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Instead of using the Prime box, I just write all the prime factors like this (because I think drawing a box takes too much time):

420 = /7x6x10/ = /7x3x2x5x2/ <<< Done!
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Thank you All, many thanks. It is much easier that way.
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scbguy
My question regarding Prime Factorization is that, how important is it. And what is the best possible way to find prime factors, and where is it required, ive been doing the MGMAT Book 1, Number properties and have found out about the prime factor box and the factorization column. The prime factor box is useful when ?

As to the best possible way, everyone has his/her own.. But let me share a quick one - Break down the number into smaller and smaller parts till you reach the prime factors e.g.
450 (the first number that came to mind) = 45*10 (always easy when numbers end in 0s) \(= 5*9 * 2*5 = 2*3^2*5^2\)

126 = 6*21 (it struck me first... you can do 2*63 if that strikes you first) =\(2*3 * 3*7 = 2*3^2*7\)

So just split the number into small parts... whatever comes to mind first... you will quickly reach the prime factors...

Thank you karishma its really a great technique.



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