Priamtes

Prime factors are the basic building blocks of a number, specifically the prime numbers that multiply together to give that number. For example, the prime factors of 12 are 2 and 3, since \( 2 \times 2 \times 3 = 12 \). Prime factors are useful in simplifying fractions, finding the greatest common divisor, and understanding the structure of numbers. Every whole number greater than 1 can be broken down uniquely into a set of prime factors, which reveals its fundamental components.