What is the prime factorization of 28?

The prime factorization of a number involves breaking it down into its prime components. In the case of 28, it can be represented as the product of primes that cannot be factored further.

When we analyze the number 28, we can start by dividing it by the smallest prime number, which is 2. Dividing 28 by 2 gives us 14. However, since 14 is not a prime number, we continue factoring it further.

Next, we can also factor 14 by dividing it by 2 again, resulting in 7. Here, 7 is a prime number and cannot be factored any further. This leads us to the complete prime factorization of 28, which is 2 × 2 × 7, or expressed using exponents, (2^2 × 7).

This shows that option C accurately represents the prime factorization of 28, illustrating that it is comprised of the prime number 2, multiplied by itself, and the prime number 7.

The other options either suggest products that include composite numbers or fail to break down the factors into primes, which is necessary to determine the prime factorization.