Write the prime factorization of 9. Use exponents when appropriate and order the factors from least to greatest

9 = 3*3 = 3^2

To find the prime factorization of 9, we need to find the prime numbers that divide 9 evenly. We start by dividing 9 by the smallest prime number, which is 2. However, 2 does not divide 9 evenly, so we move on to the next prime number, which is 3.

When we divide 9 by 3, we get 3 as the result. Now, 3 is a prime number itself, so we have found all the prime factors of 9.

So, the prime factorization of 9 is:
9 = 3 * 3

To write this using exponents, we can write:
9 = 3^2

Therefore, in order from least to greatest, the prime factorization of 9 is:
9 = 3^2.