Prime factorization of $$$2973$$$

Find the prime factorization of $$$2973$$$.

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

Determine whether $$$2973$$$ is divisible by $$$2$$$.

Since it is not divisible, move to the next prime number.

The next prime number is $$$3$$$.

Determine whether $$$2973$$$ is divisible by $$$3$$$.

It is divisible, thus, divide $$$2973$$$ by $$${\color{green}3}$$$: $$$\frac{2973}{3} = {\color{red}991}$$$.

The prime number $$${\color{green}991}$$$ has no other factors then $$$1$$$ and $$${\color{green}991}$$$: $$$\frac{991}{991} = {\color{red}1}$$$.

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: $$$2973 = 3 \cdot 991$$$.

The prime factorization is $$$2973 = 3 \cdot 991$$$A.