Questions: Find the prime factorization of the composite number. 285 285=

Solution Steps

To find the prime factorization of a composite number, we need to divide the number by the smallest prime number possible and continue the process with the quotient until the quotient itself is a prime number. The prime factorization is the list of all prime numbers used in this division process.

We are given the composite number \( 285 \).

To find the prime factorization of \( 285 \), we divide it by the smallest prime numbers:

1. \( 285 \div 3 = 95 \) (since \( 285 \) is divisible by \( 3 \))
2. \( 95 \div 5 = 19 \) (since \( 95 \) is divisible by \( 5 \))
3. \( 19 \) is a prime number.

Thus, we can express \( 285 \) as the product of its prime factors:

\[ 285 = 3 \times 5 \times 19 \]

Final Answer