Start with the number 252 and split into factors, for example it is even therefore is divisible by 2. Work out the other number and then continue finding factors of each number until you are left with prime numbers. You then express 252 as a product of these numbers. If the number appears more than once, express as a power, for example 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 7 would be written as 22 x 32 x 7 as both 2 and 3 appear twice. You can check your answer by simply multiplying these numbers back together and ensuring your answer is the starting number.