What number factor is 45? This question may seem simple at first glance, but it actually touches upon the fascinating world of mathematics, particularly in the realm of prime factors. In this article, we will explore the factors of 45 and determine which number factor it is.
Factors of a number are the numbers that divide the given number without leaving a remainder. To find the factors of 45, we need to identify all the numbers that can be multiplied together to equal 45. By doing so, we can uncover the prime factors of 45 and determine its number factor.
Let’s start by listing the factors of 45. We can begin by dividing 45 by the smallest prime number, which is 2. Since 45 is not divisible by 2, we move on to the next prime number, 3. Dividing 45 by 3 yields 15, which means 3 and 15 are factors of 45. Continuing this process, we find that 5 is also a factor of 45, as 45 divided by 5 equals 9. Finally, we can see that 9 is a factor of 45, as 45 divided by 9 equals 5. Therefore, the factors of 45 are 1, 3, 5, 9, and 15.
Now that we have listed the factors of 45, we can determine its prime factors. Prime factors are the factors that are prime numbers, meaning they are only divisible by 1 and themselves. In the case of 45, the prime factors are 3, 5, and 9. Since 9 is the product of 3 and 3, we can say that 45 has two factors of 3 and one factor of 5.
Returning to the original question, “What number factor is 45?” we can conclude that 45 is not a prime number, as it has multiple factors. Instead, it is a composite number with a prime factorization of 3 x 3 x 5. Therefore, 45 is not a single number factor; it is a combination of its prime factors, 3 and 5.
In summary, the number factor of 45 is not a single number, but rather a combination of its prime factors, 3 and 5. This example highlights the beauty of mathematics and the intricate relationships between numbers and their factors.
