What is the prime factorization of 88?

The prime factorization of 88 is 11 x 2 x 2 x 2. The only factors of 88 that are prime numbers are two and 11.

Prime factorization is the process of reducing a number to its prime factors. Factors are numbers that are multiplied to equal other numbers. A prime factor is a factor that is a prime number, meaning the only whole numbers it can be divided by are itself and one. The factors of 88 include 11 and eight. Eleven is already a prime number, but eight can be divided by one, two, four and eight, so eight must be factored down to 2 x 2 x 2. The prime factorization of 88, then, is 11 x 2 x 2 x 2.