1.3.6

Factor Trees

Test yourself

Prime Factor Trees

Prime factor trees can help us determine what the prime factors of a number are.

Illustrative background for Making a prime factor treeIllustrative background for Making a prime factor tree ?? "content

Making a prime factor tree

  • A prime factor tree breaks numbers up into their factor.
  • Let's make a factor tree for 24.
    • Start by selecting one factor pair of 24 (e.g. 3 and 8)
Illustrative background for Are they prime numbers?Illustrative background for Are they prime numbers? ?? "content

Are they prime numbers?

  • If either of the factors are prime numbers, you stop going down that branch.
    • You should circle that number so you remember it is a prime number.
  • If the factor is a composite number, then continue splitting it up into a factor pair.
Illustrative background for Split any composite numbersIllustrative background for Split any composite numbers ?? "content

Split any composite numbers

  • You need to continue to split any composite numbers into their factors.
Illustrative background for Continue until primeIllustrative background for Continue until prime ?? "content

Continue until prime

  • You should continue splitting the composite numbers until you get to prime numbers on all branches of your factor tree.
Illustrative background for Prime factors of 24Illustrative background for Prime factors of 24 ?? "content

Prime factors of 24

  • The factor tree tells you that the prime factors of 24 are 2, 2, 2 and 3.
    • The prime factors of 24 are 2, 2, 2 and 3 because 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = 24.

Jump to other topics

1Year 5 - Number

2Year 5 - Measurement

3Year 5 - Geometry

4Year 5 - Statistics

5Year 6 - Number

6Year 6 - Ratio & Proportion

7Year 6 - Algebra

8Year 6 - Measurement

9Year 6 - Statistics

9.1Displaying Data

9.2Averages

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium