Prime Factors of 12

Steps to find Prime Factors of 12 by Division Method

To find the primefactors of 12 using the division method, follow these steps:

• Step 1. Start dividing 12 by the smallest prime number, i.e., 2, 3, 5, and so on. Find the smallest prime factor of the number.
• Step 2. After finding the smallest prime factor of the number 12, which is 2. Divide 12 by 2 to obtain the quotient (6).
  12 ÷ 2 = 6
• Step 3. Repeat step 1 with the obtained quotient (6).
  6 ÷ 2 = 3
  3 ÷ 3 = 1

So, the prime factorization of 12 is, 12 = 2 x 2 x 3.

Steps to find Prime Factors of 12 by Factor Tree Method

We can follow the same procedure using the factor tree of 12 as shown below:

So, the prime factorization of 12 is, 12 = 2 x 2 x 3.

How do you define Prime Factors of a number?

Prime numbers, in mathematics are all those natural numbers greater than 1 that have exactly 2 factors which are 1 and the number itself. When we express any number as the product of these prime numbers than these prime numbers become prime factors of that number. Eg- Prime Factors of 12 are 2 x 2 x 3.

Properties of Prime Factors

• For any given number there is one and only one set of unique prime factors.
• Any number can have only 1 even prime factor and that is number 2.
• Two prime factors are always coprime to each other.
• 1 is the factor of any given number, but 1 is neither a prime number nor a composite number. So, 1 is the factor of 12 but not a prime factor of 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which is the smallest prime factor of 12?

  Smallest prime factor of 12 is 2.

• What is the prime factorization of 12?

  Prime factorization of 12 is 2 x 2 x 3.

• What are the factors of 12?

  Factors of 12 are 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 12.

• Is 12 a prime number or a composite number?

  12 is a composite number.

• Is 12 a prime number?

  false, 12 is not a prime number.

• Which is the largest prime factors of 12?

  The largest prime factor of 12 is 3.

• What is the sum of all prime factors of 12?

  Prime factors of 12 are 2 x 2 x 3. Therefore, their sum is 7.

• What numbers are the prime factors of 12?

  Prime factors of 12 are 2 , 2 , 3.

• What is the sum of all odd prime factors of 12?

  Prime factors of 12 are 2 , 2 , 3, out of which 3 are odd numbers. So, the sum of odd prime factors of 12 is 3 = 3.