Question

How do I find the prime factorization of number 2002?

Answer 1

2002 = 2 * 7 * 11 * 13

Answer 2

I meant what are the steps to finding the Answer.

Answer 3

From the knowledge of divisibility, we know that 2 is a factor (all even numbers).
That reduces
2002=2*1001

Again, the difference of sums of alternate digits equals zero (1+0)-(0+1)=0, so it is divisible by 11.
That makes
2002=2*11*91
We should (try to) know all prime factorization for numbers below 100, which in this case is 7*13=91.
This completes the prime factorization of 2002 to
2002=2*11*7*13

Rule for 7,11 and 13 for large numbers.
By the way,the given example is an excellent demonstration of another property:
If the number is grouped in 3 digits from the right, difference of alternate groups has the same mod as the number itself with respect to divisors 7,11 & 13.

For example to factorize 78169,
we know from divisibility rules that it is not divisible by 2,3,5,11.
Now form groups of 3 digits: 78 & 169.
Take the difference 169-78=91.
Since we know that 91 is divisible by 7 and 13 (but not 11), we conclude that 78169 is divisible by 7 and 13. The prime factorization is then:
78169=7*13*859
(note: 859 is prime).