BECE Mathematics 2025 Paper

Concept:Divide repeatedly by prime numbers (start with the smallest, 2) until the quotient is 1. The divisors used give the prime factors.Solution:$36 \div 2 = 18$$18 \div 2 = 9$$9$ is odd, so try 3: $9 \div 3 = 3$$3 \div 3 = 1$$36 = 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3 = 2^2 \times 3^2$Check: $4 \times 9 = 36$ ✓ (whereas $2^3 \times 3^2 = 72$ and $2^2 \times 3^3 = 108$)Answer:Option B ($2^2 \times 3^2$)