What is the prime factorization of 100?

Divide 100 by its prime factors: 100 = 2 × 50 = 2 × 2 × 25 = 2 × 2 × 5 × 5. Since 2 and 5 are prime, choice B, 2 × 2 × 5 × 5, is the prime factorization. The other expressions either leave a composite factor or are not written as prime factors.

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