Answer
$2\times2\times2\times2\times2\times3$
Work Step by Step
The first step is to write 96 at the top of your factor tree. The next question is what 2 numbers multiply together to get 96. For this example, I used 32 and 3. So, 32 and 3 are written under the 96 as 2 different "branches."
For each new number "branching" out from the previous number, you must determine if it is prime. 32 is not prime because 16 and 2 are another set of factors for 32 besides 32 itself. Now, 2 is prime, so circle the number 2 to show its separation from the rest of the factor tree. 16 is not prime because 4 and 4 are another set of factors for 16 besides 16 itself. 4 is not prime because 2 and 2 are another set of factors for 4 besides 4 itself. Now, circle each 2 because they are both prime. The same method can be done to the second 4.
The 3 underneath the 96 can be circled since it's prime.
Looking at all 6 circled numbers, $2\times2\times2\times2\times2\times3$ would be the prime factorization for 96.
