Q: What is the prime factorization of the number 2,187?

 A:
  • The prime factors are: 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3
    • or also written as { 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 }
  • Written in exponential form: 37

Why is the prime factorization of 2,187 written as 37?

What is prime factorization?

Prime factorization or prime factor decomposition is the process of finding which prime numbers can be multiplied together to make the original number.

Finding the prime factors of 2,187

To find the prime factors, you start by dividing the number by the first prime number, which is 2. If there is not a remainder, meaning you can divide evenly, then 2 is a factor of the number. Continue dividing by 2 until you cannot divide evenly anymore. Write down how many 2's you were able to divide by evenly. Now try dividing by the next prime factor, which is 3. The goal is to get to a quotient of 1.

If it doesn't make sense yet, let's try it...

Here are the first several prime factors: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29...

Let's start by dividing 2,187 by 2

2,187 ÷ 2 = 1,093.5 - This has a remainder. Let's try another prime number.
2,187 ÷ 3 = 729 - No remainder! 3 is one of the factors!
729 ÷ 3 = 243 - No remainder! 3 is one of the factors!
243 ÷ 3 = 81 - No remainder! 3 is one of the factors!
81 ÷ 3 = 27 - No remainder! 3 is one of the factors!
27 ÷ 3 = 9 - No remainder! 3 is one of the factors!
9 ÷ 3 = 3 - No remainder! 3 is one of the factors!
3 ÷ 3 = 1 - No remainder! 3 is one of the factors!

The orange divisor(s) above are the prime factors of the number 2,187. If we put all of it together we have the factors 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 2,187. It can also be written in exponential form as 37.

Factor Tree

Another way to do prime factorization is to use a factor tree. Below is a factor tree for the number 2,187.

2,187
Factor Arrows
3729
Factor Arrows
3243
Factor Arrows
381
Factor Arrows
327
Factor Arrows
39
Factor Arrows
33

More Prime Factorization Examples

2,1852,1862,1882,189
51 x 191 x 23121 x 1,093122 x 5471111 x 1991

Try the factor calculator

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