To express 840 as a product of its prime factors, we can use the method of prime factorization. Here are the steps:
- Start with the smallest prime number (which is 2) and divide 840 by 2 until you can no longer divide evenly.
- Then move to the next smallest prime number and repeat the process.
Let's begin:
- \( 840 \div 2 = 420 \)
- \( 420 \div 2 = 210 \)
- \( 210 \div 2 = 105 \) (cannot divide by 2 anymore)
- Next, try the next prime number, which is 3:
- \( 105 \div 3 = 35 \)
- Next, try the next prime number, which is 5:
- \( 35 \div 5 = 7 \)
- Now, 7 is a prime number.
Now we can write the entire factorization:
\[ 840 = 2^3 \times 3^1 \times 5^1 \times 7^1 \]
So, expressed as a product of prime factors, \( 840 \) can be factored as:
\[ 840 = 2^3 \times 3 \times 5 \times 7 \]