Question

Prime factors of the number 156 will be:

• A. $2 \times 3 \times 13$
• B. $2^2 \times 3 \times 13$
• C. $2^2 \times 3 \times 11$
• D. $2 \times 3^2 \times 13$

Hint:

Prime factorization means expressing a number as a product of prime numbers. Always start dividing by the smallest prime.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Start prime factorization of 156.
\[ 156 \div 2 = 78 \quad \Rightarrow \text{one factor of } 2 \] \[ 78 \div 2 = 39 \quad \Rightarrow \text{another factor of } 2 \] Now we have: \[ 156 = 2^2 \times 39 \]
Step 2: Continue factorizing 39.
\[ 39 \div 3 = 13 \] \[ 39 = 3 \times 13 \]
Step 3: Combine all prime factors.
\[ 156 = 2^2 \times 3 \times 13 \]
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, the prime factors of 156 are $2^2$, $3$, and $13$.