Answer:
2 x 2 x 2 x 3
Step-by-step explanation:
Find two numbers that multiply together to form 24:
2 x 12 = 24
Find two numbers that multiply together to form 12, a factor of 24. Replace 12 with these numbers:
2 x (2 x 6) = 2 x 12 = 24
Find two numbers that multiply together to form 6, a factor of 12. Replace 6 with these numbers:
2 x (2 x (2 x 3)) = 2 x (2x6) = 2 x 12 = 24
Two and three cannot be factored any further, therefore the prime factors of 24 are 2, 2, 2, and 3.
Associative property (associative laws)