(mathematics) the resolution of an integer or polynomial into factors such that when multiplied together they give the integer or polynomial

Breaking any whole number into its component prime numbers. For example, the PRIME FACTORS of 90 are: 2, 3, 3, 5. The usual factorization method is a variant of the Sieve of Eratosthenes, known to ancient Greek mathematicians. The mathematical fact that EVERY whole number is uniquely represented by prime factors was proven by Euclid. Factorization is much more time-consuming than multiplication. Public/private encryption works by the principle that the PRODUCT is distributed publicly, while the PRIME FACTORS are known only to the receiver.

Finding the factors of an integer

a set of factors whose edge sets partition the edge set of the graph