Learning about prime factorization in Year 7 can be tough for students. Here are a few challenges they might face:

1. Complexity and Confusion:

   • Many students find it hard to understand what prime numbers are.
   • They also struggle with breaking down larger numbers into their prime factors.
   • This can be really frustrating. For example, figuring out the prime factors of 60 can feel overwhelming.
   • 60 can be broken down into $2^2 \times 3 \times 5$, which can be confusing.

2. Importance of Mastery:

   • It's really important to understand prime factorization.
   • This knowledge helps students find the least common multiples (LCMs) and the greatest common factors (GCFs).
   • These skills are key for simplifying fractions and solving math problems.

3. Overcoming Challenges:

   • The good news is that these challenges can be tackled.
   • Students can practice using tools like factor trees or divisibility rules.
   • These methods can make learning prime factorization easier and more effective.