Objective :
- Break numbers into smallest form (Prime numbers)
Outcomes:
- Factorize numbers using tree method and division method
- Appreciate that prime numbers are the building blocks of all numbers
- Appreciate that prime factorization is a unique way to factorization, but not the only way.
Lesson :
In this lesson, we mostly learn the procedures to break numbers into prime numbers, also developing an understanding of these procedures.
The important understanding we need to have is ‘Why are we using 2 methods, if we already learnt the factor tree method? ‘
The factor tree method helps us understand that we end up with the same factors irrespective of how we start, implying that prime factorization is unique. Once we have this understanding, we can use the division method, which is directly using prime numbers.