primefactorizationroutine
nounUK /praɪm ˌfæktəraɪˈzeɪʃən ruːˈtiːn/
US /praɪm ˌfæktərɪˈzeɪʃən ruːˈtiːn/
A set of steps a computer follows to break a number into the prime numbers that multiply together to make it.
The program uses a prime factorization routine to split 84 into 2, 2, 3, and 7.
SYNONYMS
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A reusable block of code in a math library that returns the prime factors of an integer.
She called the prime factorization routine from the number theory library.
3. A classroom procedure students follow step by step to find prime factors by hand.
Our teacher taught a prime factorization routine using a factor tree.
4. A repeated process in cryptography that factors large numbers into primes.
The encryption system relies on a fast prime factorization routine.