Factorization of integers

Prime factorization, also known as prime decomposition, is the process of breaking down a composite number into its prime factors. In other words, it involves finding all the prime numbers that can be multiplied together to get the original number. This can be done by dividing the number by the smallest prime number that divides into it, and repeating the process with the quotient until all factors are prime. For example, the prime factorization of 18 is 2 x 3 x 3, since 2 is the only prime number that divides into it, and then we divide the quotient, 9, by the smallest prime factor, 3, to get 3 x 3.