Find prime factors of 252
Break any number into its prime factors with a complete factor tree.
252
Divide 252 by the smallest prime factors repeatedly:
Step 1: Is 252 divisible by 2?
252 is even (last digit is 2)
252 ÷ 2 = 126
Step 2: Is 126 divisible by 2?
126 is even (last digit is 6)
126 ÷ 2 = 63
Step 3: Is 63 divisible by 3?
digit sum = 9 (divisible by 3)
63 ÷ 3 = 21
Step 4: Is 21 divisible by 3?
digit sum = 3 (divisible by 3)
21 ÷ 3 = 7
Step 5:
7 ÷ 7 = 1
Prime factorization (expanded):
252 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 7
In exponential form:
252 = 22 × 32 × 7
252 = 22 × 32 × 7
How to find prime factors of 252
To find the prime factorization of 252, 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 252?
The answer is 252 = 2² × 3² × 7.
What method is used?
repeated division — divide by 2, then 3, then 5, and so on until the quotient is 1.