2.-11 Points] DETAILS MY NOTES KAUFACS9 3.4.011. Factor the composite number into the product of prime numbers. For example, \( 30=2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \). SUBMIT ANSWER 45 STM
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To factor the composite number 45 into the product of prime numbers, you can start by dividing it by the smallest prime number, which is 3. So, \( 45 \div 3 = 15 \). Next, you can further factor 15 by dividing it again by 3, giving \( 15 \div 3 = 5 \). Now, you can see that 5 is a prime number. Therefore, 45 can be expressed as \( 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \) or simply \( 3^2 \cdot 5 \). When you're factoring composite numbers, a common mistake is to overlook smaller prime factors and jump to larger ones. It's always a good strategy to start with the smallest primes first, ensuring not to miss any factors. For 45, many might quickly try 5 first but overlooking that 45 is divisible by 3 initially could lead them down the wrong path. Keep that prime factorization process systematic!
