2 × 2 × 3
to fid the prime factors of a number, as shown
12 ÷ 2 = 6 ( 2 is the lowest prime, repeat with 2 )
6 ÷ 2 = 3 ( 3 does not divide exactly by 2, move to next prime 3 )
3 ÷ 3 = 1 ( when 1 is reached we are there )
12 = 2 × 2 × 3 = 2² × 3 ← prime factorisation of 12
