Prime factorization - what is it?

Prime factorization is the representation of a number as the product of the multiplication of prime numbers, which are then called prime factors. This representation is unique, except for the order of the prime factors.

Calculation

To perform a prime factorization, one simply tests by which prime numbers the number to be decomposed can be divided without remainder. If the number can be divided by a prime number without remainder, you can continue calculating with the result until you have a prime number as a result.

You start with two as the first prime number by which you divide. If the result is neither a prime number nor divisible by 2 without remainder, you take the next higher prime number - in this case three. This is repeated until the result is a prime number.