Prime Factorization Aa570A

1. **State the problem:** We need to express the number $56$ as a product of its prime factors. 2. **Recall the prime factorization method:** Prime factorization means breaking down a number into the product of prime numbers only. 3. **Start dividing $56$ by the smallest prime number:** - $56 \div 2 = 28$ 4. **Continue dividing by $2$ as long as the quotient is even:** - $28 \div 2 = 14$ - $14 \div 2 = 7$ 5. **Now $7$ is a prime number, so we stop here.** 6. **Write the prime factors:** - $56 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 7$ 7. **Express using exponents:** - $56 = 2^{3} \times 7$ **Final answer:** $$56 = 2^{3} \times 7$$