Prime factor
= Prime factor
A <prime factor> of a nonzero <integer> $n$ is a <prime number> $p$ satisfying $p\mid n$. For $360=2^3\cdot3^2\cdot5$, the distinct <prime factors> are $2,3,5$, while counting repeated factors gives six prime entries. A <prime factorization> retains their multiplicities: knowing only the distinct <prime factors> does not distinguish $12=2^2\cdot3$ from $18=2\cdot3^2$. A negative <integer> has the same <prime factors> as its <absolute value>.