Florida B.E.S.T. MA.6.NSO.3.4

Math6th GradeApply properties of operations to rewrite numbers in equivalent forms.

The Standard

Express composite whole numbers as a product of prime factors with natural number exponents.

Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students break a composite whole number into prime factors. They group repeated prime factors and write them with exponents, then multiply to check the original number.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can use a factor tree or repeated division and reach the same prime factors. They write repeated factors with exponents, such as 72 = 2^3 × 3^2, and check the product.
Common Misconceptions: Students may stop a factor tree while a composite factor remains. They may omit repeated primes or read 2^3 as 2 times 3 instead of three factors of 2.
How to Assess It: Ask students to factor 180, write the result using exponents, and multiply the factors to verify that the product is 180.

Lesson moves

Give students factor cards for 72 and have them split composite factors until only primes remain, then combine repeated primes with exponent cards.
Have students compare two different factor trees for 84 and explain in writing why both produce the same prime factorization.
Play Prime Factorization Bingo by calling composite numbers while students factor each number and cover the matching exponential form.
Use the prime factorization of 360 snack bags to test which group sizes can divide the total evenly.

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