Factors Command

Factors[ <Polynomial> ]

Returns list of lists {factor,exponent} such that product of all these factors raised to corresponding exponents equals the given polynomial.

Example:

Factors[x^8 - 1] yields {{x - 1, 1}, {x + 1, 1}, {x^2 + 1, 1}, {x^4 + 1, 1}}.

Note: Not all of the factors are irreducible over the reals.

Factors[ <Number> ]

Returns list of lists {prime,exponent} such that product of all these primes raised to corresponding exponents equals the given number. Primes are sorted in ascending order.

Example:

• Factors[1024] returns {{2,10}}, because 1024=2¹⁰.
• Factors[42] returns {{2,1},{3,1},{7,1}}, because 42=2¹3¹7¹.

Note: See also PrimeFactors Command and Factor Command.