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Key points

  • A is an that divides exactly into a whole number without a remainder. Eg, 3 is a factor of 12

  • A is a set of two factors. When multiplied together, they give a particular . Eg, 3 and 4 have a product of 12, so 3 and 4 are a factor pair of 12

  • A is a number that is in a particular times table. Eg, 12 is a multiple of 3 because 12 is in the 3 times table. 12 is also a multiple of 4 because 12 is also in the 4 times table.

  • Knowing multiplication and division facts supports understanding of factors and factor pairs. Knowing is helpful in identifying multiples of a particular number.

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What is a factor?

  • A is an integer that divides exactly into a selected whole number with no remainder.
  • Every whole number greater than 1 has two or more factors.
  • When a number is divided by one factor, the answer is another factor. The two factors are called a .
  • The of each factor pair is equal to the number.

Remember: The first factor pair is always 1 and the number itself.

Example: factors and factor pairs

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 7, Example 1: Factors and factor pairs of twenty-one – highlighted., What are the factors and factor pairs of 21?

Question

Which of these numbers are factors of 6?

Two rows of five boxes. Top row: One, six, twelve, two and four. Bottom row: Thirty, twenty, five, three and forty.

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How to find all the factor pairs of a number

When finding all the of a number, there is a methodical approach you can take:

  • Remember that the first factor pair is always 1 and the number itself.
  • Consider whether the number is divisible, in turn, by 2, 3, 4 etc. Use your understanding of the and times tables up to 12 x 12 to help.
  • When a number is divided by one factor, the answer is another factor. The two factors are called a factor pair.
  • The of each factor pair is equal to the number.

Remember: all the factors are found when the next value is part of an established factor pair.

Example: factor pairs of 30

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, Example 1: Thirty. Below are boxes with one to thirty counting up across them., Find all the factors and factor pairs of 30

Question

Find all the factor pairs of 28

Twenty-eight. Below: Boxes with one to thirty counting up across them.

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What is a multiple?

  • A is a whole number in the times table of a selected whole number.
    Eg, any number in the 4 times table is a multiple of 4. Multiples of 4 include 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 …
  • There are an number of multiples for any whole number.

Example: multiples of 5

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 5, Written: Multiples of five – highlighted., What are the multiples of 5?

Question

Which of these numbers are multiples of 6?

Two rows of five boxes. Top row: One, six, twelve, two and four. Bottom row: Thirty, twenty, five, three and forty.

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Practise factors and multiples

Try this quiz to practise finding factors, factor pairs and multiples.

Quiz

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Real-world maths

Factors

Factors are used every day when we divide or share something into equal pieces. Eg, an outdoor adventure company who organises group activities may need to split a large group of people into smaller groups for each activity.

A group of friends wearing climbing gear stood a the bottom of a tree. One of the people is climbing up a wooden ladder next to the tree.
Image caption,
Factors can be used to sort people into groups.

A group of 24 people could be split into:

  • 6 groups of 4 (6 x 4 = 24)
  • 8 groups of 3 (8 x 3 = 24)
  • 12 pairs (12 x 2 = 24)

Different activities may need different sized groups. As 24 has several factor pairs, organising the activities is easier than if there were 25 people.

Multiples

A baker will bake in batches to minimise food waste. Eg, if cupcakes are packed in boxes of 6, the batches baked will be a multiple of 6. A small batch may be for 24 cupcakes, a large batch bake could be for 120 cupcakes.

A group of friends wearing climbing gear stood a the bottom of a tree. One of the people is climbing up a wooden ladder next to the tree.
Image caption,
Factors can be used to sort people into groups.
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Game - Divided Islands

Play the Divided Islands game! game

Using your maths skills, help to build bridges and bring light back to the islands in this free game from 鶹Լ Bitesize.

Play the Divided Islands game!
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More on Prime numbers, factors and multiples

Find out more by working through a topic