Show the prime factorization of each number (72,

Answer: 72 = 2^3 * 3^2

72 is even so 2 is a factor; 72/3 = 36

36 and 36/2 = 18 are also even so we have two more 2's as prime factors. 18/2 = 9 = 3*3 hence we have two 3's as prime factors

Therefor the prime factors of 72 are 2*2*2*3*3 or 2^3*3^2