Prime Factorization of 972

Prime Factorization by the Ladder Method:
972 is divisible by 2, 972/2 = 486
486 is divisible by 2, 486/2 = 243
243 is divisible by 3, 243/3 = 81
81 is divisible by 3, 81/3 = 27
27 is divisible by 3, 27/3 = 9
9 is divisible by 3, 9/3 = 3
3 is a prime number
Prime Factorization of 972: 972 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3
Prime Factorization of 972 in Exponential Form: 972 = 2² x 3⁵