To determine the exponent of the prime factor 3 in the prime factorization of 54, we first need to find the prime factorization of 54.
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Start with the number 54:
- 54 is even, so we can divide it by 2: \[ 54 \div 2 = 27 \]
- Now, we have 2 as a prime factor and are left with 27.
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Next, we factor 27:
- 27 can be divided by 3: \[ 27 \div 3 = 9 \]
- So, we have one 3 as a factor.
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Continuing with factoring 9:
- 9 can also be divided by 3: \[ 9 \div 3 = 3 \]
- So, we have another 3.
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Finally, we factor the last 3:
- 3 can be divided by 3: \[ 3 \div 3 = 1 \]
- So, we have one more 3.
Putting this all together, the prime factorization of 54 is: \[ 54 = 2^1 \times 3^3 \]
Now, we can see that the exponent of the prime factor 3 in the prime factorization of 54 is 3.
Thus, the answer is: 3