Question

write 40 as a product of prime factors.
$40 = \square$

Explanation:

Step1: Divide 40 by smallest prime

$40 \div 2 = 20$

Step2: Divide 20 by 2 again

$20 \div 2 = 10$

Step3: Divide 10 by 2 once more

$10 \div 2 = 5$

Step4: 5 is prime, stop. Combine factors

$2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 5 = 2^3 \times 5$

Answer:

$2^3 \times 5$