Divide 36 by the smallest prime number (2):
36 ÷ 2 = 18
Divide 18 by 2 again:
18 ÷ 2 = 9
Divide 9 by the next smallest prime number (3):
9 ÷ 3 = 3
Divide 3 by 3 again:
3 ÷ 3 = 1
So, 36 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 or 36 = 2² × 3².
Prime factors of 36 are 2² × 3².