2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5
2
9
The prime factorization.
The prime factorization.
2*2*2*3*3*5
When all of the factors are prime. The longest factor string is the prime factorization.
For composite numbers, only one string of factors is the longest; the prime factorization.
All numbers have factors. Some factors are prime numbers, some are composite numbers, one is neither. When finding the factors of a number, you find all the factors. The prime factorization is a multiplication string of just prime factors that will total the given number.
A factor string consists of any factors (except 1) that multiply to equal the number. Prime factorization consists of only prime numbers that multiply to equal the number. In the case where the factors of the original number consists only of primes, there is no difference.
The longest factor string for 840 is its prime factorization because prime factors can't be broken down any further.
9 x 8 = 72 10 x 12 = 120
Itself because 13 is a prime number that has only two factors which are itself and one