College Algebra CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What is the prime factorization of 72?

1. 2 x 38

2. 2 x 2 x 19

3. 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3

4. 2 x 3 x 12

The correct answer is: 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3

The prime factorization of 72 can be found by breaking it down into smaller prime factors. Option A is incorrect because 38 is not a prime number. Option B is incorrect because 19 is not a factor of 72 and 2 is repeated twice. Option D is incorrect because 12 is not a prime number and it cannot be further broken down into prime factors as it has already been divided by 2 and 3. Therefore, option C is the correct answer as it represents the prime factorization of 72 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3.