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Question from Jane, a student:

What's a factor string? I'm confusey in the head.

Hi Jane,

This is a new term to me. I searched the web and the only definition I could find was at
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_factor_string#slide2

A factor string is a name for a number written as a product of two or more factors. In a factor string, 1 may not be used as a factor. For example, a factor string for 24 is 2 X 3 X 4, or 2 3 4.

Thus for example 54 has factor strings $6 \times 9$ and $3 \times 18$ and $2 \times 3 \times 9$ and more.It seems as is 1 is never listed as a factor.

I hope this helps,
Penny

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