Find prime factors of 12
Break any number into its prime factors with a complete factor tree.
12
Divide 12 by the smallest prime factors repeatedly:
Step 1: Is 12 divisible by 2?
12 is even (last digit is 2)
12 ÷ 2 = 6
Step 2:
6 ÷ 2 = 3
Step 3:
3 ÷ 3 = 1
Prime factorization (expanded):
12 = 2 × 2 × 3
In exponential form:
12 = 22 × 3
12 = 22 × 3
How to find prime factors of 12
To find the prime factorization of 12, start dividing by the smallest prime factor (2), then try 3, 5, 7, and so on until the quotient is 1. Each prime factor and its power make up the factorization.
This is a prime factorization — every integer greater than 1 has a unique prime factorization. We find it by dividing by the smallest primes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to 12?
The answer is 12 = 2² × 3.
What method is used?
repeated division — divide by 2, then 3, then 5, and so on until the quotient is 1.