Page 16 - Math Smart - 7

Think of a factor tree as a [ Using Factor Trees to find LCMs

tree with branches. •
1
You can use factor trees to find the LCM of two or more numbers.
You do not need to draw '
the tree! Just the diagram.
How to draw a factor tree
60
Any number can be written as the product of Its prime numbers. A factor tree
6^^ ^^10
breaks down a number into its prime numbers.

Draw the factor tree for the number 60.

Write down any factor pair Repeat the process, adding When you get to a prime
that multiplies to give the new branches. As 2 x 3 = 6 number (a number whose
number 60. and 5x2 = 10, write these only factors are 1 and itself),
as new branches. draw a circle. Continue until
all branches are finished.
r
Express the number as a product of its
prime numbers in order. The exponent is 2 because
60 = 2X2X3X5
Then write the prime numbers with the number 2 appears twice as
= 2^ X 3 X 5
same base number in its exponential form. a prime factor of 60

Exponent
Exponents The number of times
the base is multiplied
The exponent of a number
tells you how many times to I
Base number
multiply the number if —8^ = 8X8X8
The number
multiplied by itself.
being multiplied

2"^ =2X2X2X2 O 3^X5^ = 3X3X5X5
= 16 = 9 X 25
= 225

Factors, Multiples and Primes