Prime Factorization

Secret codes are often used to send information over the internet. Many of these codes
are based on very large numbers. For some codes, a computer must determine the
prime factorization of these numbers to decode the information.

The prime factorization of a number is the number written as a product of all of its
prime factors.

Use a factor tree.

The key for a code is based on the prime factorization of 180. Find the prime
factorization of 180.

Choose any two factors whose product is 180. Continue finding factors until only prime
factors are left.

A. Use a basic fact.

Think: 10 times what number is equal to 180?

180

10 18

2 5 6 3

2 5 2 3 3

180 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5

B. Use a divisibility rule.

Think: 180 is even, so it is divisible by 2.

180

2 90

2 2 45

2 2 3 15

2 2 3 3 5

List the prime factors from least to greatest.

So, the prime factorization of 180 is 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5.
Least Common Multiple
In an experiment, each flowerpot will get will get one seed. If the flowerpots are in
packages of 6 and the seeds are in packets of 8, what is the least number of plants that
can be grown without any seeds or pots left over?

The least common multiple, or LCM, is the least number that is a common multiple of
two or more numbers.

Use a list.

Make a list of the first nonzero multiple of 6 and 8. Circle the common multiples. Then
find the least common multiple.

Multiple of 6: 6, 12, 18, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____.

Multiple of 8: 8, 16, 24, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____.

The least common multiple, or LCM, is _____.

Use prime factorization to find the LCM of 12 and 18.

2
Write the prime factorization of each number. 12 = 2 x 2 x 3 → 2 x3

2
Line up the common factors. 18 = 2 x 3 x 3 → 2x3

2 2
Multiply the numbers with the greatest power of numbers. 2 x 3 = (2 x 2) x (3 x 3)
= 4 x 9 = 36

So, the LCM of 12 and 18 is _____.

Try This! Find the LCM.

A. 10, 15, and 25. B. 3 and 12
Use prime factorization. Use a list.
10 = _______________ Multiples of 3: ____________________

15 = _______________ Multiples of 12: ___________________

25 = _______________ The LCM is _______.

___________________

The LCM is _________.

Name: _______________________

Date: ________________________

1. List the first six nonzero multiples of 6 and 9. Circle the common multiples. Then

find the LCM.

Multiples of 6: _________________________

Multiples of 9: _________________________

The LCM of 6 and 9 is ______.

Find the LCM.

2. 3, 5 3. 3, 9

______________ ______________

4. 9, 15 5. 3, 8

______________ _______________

6. 5, 10 7. 2, 7, 10

______________ _______________
8. 4, 27, 36 9. 3, 8, 18

______________ ________________

10. Mailing labels are sold in packages of 16. Envelopes are sold in packages of 20.
What is the least number of labels and envelopes you can buy so that there is one
label for each envelope with none left over?
a. 4 labels and 4 envelopes
b. 80 labels and 80 envelopes
c. 160 labels and 160 envelopes
d. 320 labels and 320 envelopes

11. Which pair of numbers has an LCM of 60?

a. 15, 20
b. 6, 10
c. 30, 2
d. 4, 20
Greatest Common Factor
A common factor is a number that is a factor of two or more numbers. The numbers 16
and 20 have 1, 2, and 4 as common factors.

Factor of 16: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16

Factors of 20: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20

The greatest common factor, or GCF, is the greatest factor that two or more numbers
have in common. The greatest common factor of 16 and 20 is 4.

Unlock the Problem

Jim is cutting two strips of wood to make picture frames. The wood strips measure 12
inches and 18 inches. He wants to cut the strips into equal lengths that are as long as
possible. Into what lengths should he cut the wood?

Find the greatest common factor, or GCF, of 12 and 18.

1. Use a list.
Factors of 12: 1, 2, ____, ____, ____, 12
Factors of 18: 1, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____
2. Use prime factorization.
Write the prime factorization of each number.
12 = 2 x _____ x 3
18 = _____ x 3 x _____

Place the prime factors of the numbers

in the appropriate parts of the Venn diagram.

To find the GCF, find the product of

the common prime factors.
2 x 3 = ______ The GCF is _______.

So, Jim should cut the wood into _____-inch length.

 Name: ______________________
Date: _______________________

1. List the factors of 12 and 20. Circle the GCF.

Factors of 12: ___________________
Factors of 20: ___________________

Find the GCF.

2. 16, 18 7. 27, 45

________ _________

3. 25, 40 8. 30, 45

________ _________

4. 24, 40 9. 42, 63

________ _________

5. 14, 35 10. 8, 25

________ _________

6. 8, 12
Add and Subtract Decimals
The place value of a digit in a number shows the value of the digit. The number 2.358
shows 2 ones, 3 tenths, 5 hundredths, and 8 thousandths.

Place Value

Thousands Hundreds Tens Ones Tenths Hundredths Thousandths

2 3 5 8

Unlock the Problem

Amanda and three of her friends volunteer at How do you know whether to add or

the local animal shelter. One of their jobs is subtract the weights given in the

to weigh the puppies and kittens and problem? _____________________

chart their growth. Amanda’s favorite puppy ________________________

weighed 2.358 lb last month. If it gained 1.08 lb,
how much does it weigh this month?

Add 2.358 + 1.08.

Estimate the sum. _____ + _____ = _____

1. Add the thousandths first.

2. Then add the hundredths, tenths, and ones.
3. Regroup as needed.

2.358
1.08 +
___________

Compare your estimate with the sum. Since the estimate, ______, is close to
__________, the answer is reasonable.

So, the puppy weighs _____________ lb this month.

1. Is it necessary to add zero after 1.08 to find the sum? Explain.

________________________________________________________________
2. Explain how place value can help you add decimals.
________________________________________________________________
Example 1
A bee hummingbird, the world’s smallest
bird, has a mass of 1.836 grams. A new
United States nickel has a mass of grams.
What is the difference in grams between
the mass of a nickel and the mass
of a bee hummingbird?

Subtract 5 - 1.836.
Estimate the difference. ____ - ____ = ____
Think: 5 = 5.___________

1. Subtract the thousandths first.

2. Then subtract the hundredth, tenths, and ones.
3. Regroup as needed.

5 ._____
1.836 -
__________

Compare your estimate with the difference. Since the estimate, ______, is close to
___________, the answer is reasonable.

So, the mass of a new nickel is ____________ grams more than the mass of a bee
hummingbird.

Example 2. Evaluate (6.5 - 1.97) + 3.461 using the order of operations.

1. Write the expression. (6.5 - 1.97) + 3.461
2. Perform operations in parentheses. 6.50
3. Add. 1.97 -
_________
_________

_________

So, the value of the expression is ________________.