Find the number you want to factor
Start with 1 and the number itself
Test small prime numbers like 2, 3, 5, 7, 11
Divide the number by each prime to see if it goes evenly
If it divides evenly, write that prime as a factor
Keep dividing the quotient by prime numbers until it cannot be divided further
List all the prime factors together
Multiply the factors to check that they equal the original number