##720 = 2^4 xx3^2 xx5## You can do the "ladder method"of continuous short division, making sure that you only divide by

##720 = 2^4 xx3^2 xx5##

You can do the "ladder method"of continuous short division, making sure that you only divide by .

I prefer to just use 2 factors to start with and then split the factors again and again until they are all primes.

This method is quick, easy and effective, but it requires a solid knowledge of the times tables.......

##720 = color(red)(72)xxcolor(blue)(10)##

= ##color(red)(8xx9) xx color(blue)(2xx5)##

= ##color(red)(2xx4 xx3xx3)xxcolor(blue)(2xx5)##

=##2xx2xx2xx3xx3xx2xx5##

=##2^4 xx3^2 xx5##

You can start with any pair and you will end up with the same result.

##720 =80xx9 = 36xx20 = 12xx60 =8xx90 = 120xx6## etc

##color(magenta)("Or if you prefer the visual approach use a factor tree:")##