Explain factoring with a factor tree

Teaching Transcript

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Let's look at what a factor tree means

Each pair multiplies to the number above it

So, at the bottom, 3 times 3 equals 9, and 2 times 2 equals 4

Then in the middle row, 9 times 4 equals 36

If you start from 36, and create this factor tree, the final factors are the ones that cannot be split any further. The prime factorization of 36 is 3 times 3 times 2 times 2

This math skill teaches how to perform factoring using a factor tree, a method where a number is broken down into its prime factors systematically. Starting from the number, each split represents its factors until only prime numbers are left at the bottom.