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	Factors Galore C: Prime Factorization

Activity Overview

In this activity, students use the calculator to find the prime factorization of a number.

Before the Activity

Set up the calculator as explained in the activity

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity

Print pages 15 - 19 from the attached PDF file for your class

Activity Downloads:

(file types)

DiscoverMath_TI73_G56_Act04.pdf
DiscoverMath_TI73_G56_Appendix.pdf

During the Activity

Distribute the pages to the class.

Follow the Activity procedures:

Enter a number as both the numerator and denominator of a fraction

Use the calculator to find the new fraction simplified by the lowest prime factor

Record the factor on the Activity sheet

Repeat the process of simplifying the fraction by reducing the fraction by the lowest prime factor each time until the fraction is completely simplified

Record all the prime factors on the Activity sheet

Understand that the product of the common factors is the prime factorization of the number

Express the prime factorization using powers

Discuss an alternate way to find the prime factorization using the factor tree

After the Activity

Students' complete the Student Activity sheet.

Review student results:

As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging

Re-teach concepts as necessary

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