Prime factorization of $$$1042$$$

Find the prime factorization of $$$1042$$$.

Start with the number $$$2$$$.

Determine whether $$$1042$$$ is divisible by $$$2$$$.

It is divisible, thus, divide $$$1042$$$ by $$${\color{green}2}$$$: $$$\frac{1042}{2} = {\color{red}521}$$$.

The prime number $$${\color{green}521}$$$ has no other factors then $$$1$$$ and $$${\color{green}521}$$$: $$$\frac{521}{521} = {\color{red}1}$$$.

Since we have obtained $$$1$$$, we are done.

Now, just count the number of occurences of the divisors (green numbers), and write down the prime factorization: $$$1042 = 2 \cdot 521$$$.

The prime factorization is $$$1042 = 2 \cdot 521$$$A.