primedecompositionprocess
nounUK /praɪm ˌdiːkɒmpəˈzɪʃən ˈprəʊsɛs/
US /praɪm ˌdiːkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən ˈprɑːsɛs/
The way we break a number into the prime numbers that multiply together to make it.
Using the prime decomposition process, we can write 12 as 2 × 2 × 3.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A step-by-step method in math class for splitting a number into its prime building blocks.
The teacher showed the prime decomposition process on the board with a factor tree.
3. The result of breaking a number down into primes, often written with exponents.
The prime decomposition process for 60 gives 2² × 3 × 5.
4. A way to simplify problems by reducing numbers to their smallest prime parts.
Finding common factors is easier after the prime decomposition process.