Question

what is the prime factorization of 81?
$3^3*5$
$3^4$
$3^2$
this number is prime.
skill code: 104100

Explanation:

Step1: Recall prime factorization

Prime factorization is expressing a number as a product of prime numbers. For 81, we start dividing by the smallest prime number, 3.

Step2: Divide 81 by 3

$81 \div 3 = 27$. Then $27 \div 3 = 9$, $9 \div 3 = 3$, and $3 \div 3 = 1$. So we have divided by 3 four times.

Step3: Express as prime power

This means $81 = 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 3^4$.

Answer:

$3^4$ (corresponding to the option with $3^4$)