Key learning points

1. Every composite number has prime number factors.
2. All the factors of a number can be broken down into prime factors.
3. Every positive integer can be broken down into prime factors.
4. Every positive integer can be written as a product of its prime factors.
5. Prime factor products can be simplified by using index notation.

Common misconception

Keywords

• Composite - A composite number is an integer with more than two factors. All integers greater than 1 are either composite or prime

• Prime factors - Prime factors are the factors of a number that are, themselves, prime.

• Unique - Each composite number has a unique product of its prime factors. i.e. there is only one unique way it can be written.