What is the prime factorization of 231?

The prime factorization of a number involves breaking it down into its basic building blocks, which are prime numbers. For the number 231, we can find its prime factors through division.

Step-by-Step Factorization

To factor 231, we can start by testing small prime numbers:

• Dividing by 2: 231 is odd, so it is not divisible by 2.
• Dividing by 3: The sum of the digits (2 + 3 + 1 = 6) is divisible by 3. Thus, 231 ÷ 3 = 77.
• Factoring 77: Next, we can factor 77. It is not divisible by 3, but it is divisible by 7 (77 ÷ 7 = 11).

Final Prime Factors

Now we have:

• 3
• 7
• 11

Therefore, the prime factorization of 231 is:

3 × 7 × 11