Question

What is the prime factorization of 40?
2 times 5
2 times 20
2 times 2 times 2 times 5
2 times 2 times 4 times 5

Answer 1

The prime factorization of 40 is \(2^3 \times 5\). Here's how you can break it down:

1. Start by dividing 40 by the smallest prime number, which is 2:
- \(40 \div 2 = 20\)
2. Divide 20 by 2:
- \(20 \div 2 = 10\)
3. Divide 10 by 2:
- \(10 \div 2 = 5\)
4. Now, 5 is also a prime number.

So, putting it all together, you have:
\[
40 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 5 = 2^3 \times 5
\]

Thus, the correct prime factorization is \(2^3 \times 5\).