They were the same. Remember when we folded the paper 2 times, the number of holes was 4. The prime factorization of 4 is 2 x 2. That's a total of two prime factors - the same number of folds.
First, let's review how prime factorization works (also known as a factor tree):
Start with a product. Then, break that product down into its factors until you reach ALL PRIME FACTORS at the bottom. That bottom row is your prime factorization.
*Always remember to carry down your prime factors, to put a multiplication sign in between the factors on each row, and to check your answer at the bottom by making sure all the numbers are prime and verifying that, when multiplied together, they equal the product at the top of the tree.*
Example:
32
2 x 16
2 x 4 x 4
2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 ---> This is your answer. 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2.
Remember from class yesterday that you can put this answer together in a nice, neat package by using exponents:
2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 25
