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
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