16. What is the prime factorization of 144 ?

To find the prime factorization of 144, you can start by dividing it by the smallest prime number, which is 2. Dividing 144 by 2 gives you 72, and continuing this process, you get: 72 (2), 36 (2), 18 (2), 9 (3), and finally 3 (3). So, the prime factorization is: 2^4 × 3^2. Understanding prime factorization is essential in various fields, including cryptography and computer science, where it helps in simplifying problems and optimizing algorithms. It’s like the secret sauce for making complex equations a breeze, unlocking the potential of numbers in real-world scenarios!