Factors And Multiples - Math Steps, Examples & Questions

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Factors and multiples

Here we will learn about factors and multiples, including their definitions, finding factors and multiples, and problem solving with factors and multiples.

Students will first learn about factors and multiples as part of their work with operations and algebraic thinking in elementary school.

What are factors and multiples?

Factors are numbers that multiply together to find a product. They will divide into a whole number with no remainder and can sometimes be called divisors.

Composite numbers are numbers with more than two factors. Prime numbers are numbers with exactly two factors.

Multiples are the products you get when two factors, or numbers, are multiplied together.

Multiples are the result of multiplying a number by an integer.

Let’s look at factors and multiples.

Factors	Multiples
What are the factors of $8?$ $8 \times 1 = 8$ $1$ and $8$ are a factor pair. $2$ and $4$ are a factor pair. You can use a multiplication chart to find factors. The first row and first column on the chart represent the factors. $8$ is a composite number because it has more than two factors. ● Whole numbers have a set number or a finite number of factors.	What are the multiples of $8?$ $8 \times 1 = 8$ Some of the multiples of $8:$ $8, 16, 24, \dots$ You can use a multiplication chart see some of the multiples of $8.$ You can read down the $8’$ s column or read across the $8$ ’s row. ● Whole numbers have many or an infinite number of multiples.

Factors

Multiples

What are the factors of $8?$

$8 \times 1 = 8$

$1$ and $8$ are a factor pair.

$2$ and $4$ are a factor pair.

You can use a multiplication chart
to find factors. The first row and
first column on the chart represent
the factors.

$8$ is a composite number because
it has more than two factors.

● Whole numbers have a set number
or a finite number of factors.

What are the multiples of $8?$

$8 \times 1 = 8$

Some of the multiples of $8:$

$8, 16, 24, \dots$

You can use a multiplication chart
see some of the multiples of $8.$ You
can read down the $8’$ s column or
read across the $8$ ’s row.

● Whole numbers have many or an
infinite number of multiples.

What are factors and multiples?

$[FREE] Factors and Multiples Worksheet (Grades 4 to 6)$

[FREE] Factors and Multiples Worksheet (Grades 4 to 6)

$[FREE] Factors and Multiples Worksheet (Grades 4 to 6)$

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 students’ understanding of factors and multiples. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th, 5th and 6th grade topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

$[FREE] Factors and Multiples Worksheet (Grades 4 to 6)$

[FREE] Factors and Multiples Worksheet (Grades 4 to 6)

$[FREE] Factors and Multiples Worksheet (Grades 4 to 6)$

DOWNLOAD FREE

Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to 3rd, 4th, and 6th grade math?

Grade 3: Operations & Algebraic Thinking (3.OA.B.5)
Apply properties of operations as strategies to multiply and divide.

Grade 4: Operations & Algebraic Thinking (4.OA.B.4)
Find all factor pairs for a whole number in the range $1-100.$ Recognize that a whole number is a multiple of each of its factors. Determine whether a given whole number in the range $1-100$ is a multiple of a given one-digit number. Determine whether a given whole number in the range $1-100$ is prime or composite.

Grade 6: Number System (6.NS.B)
Compute fluently with multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples.

How to list factors and multiples

In order to list all of the factors of a given number:

State the factor pair starting with $1 \; \textbf{×} \;$ the number.
Write the next smallest factor of the number and calculate its factor pair.
Repeat until the next factor pair is the same as the previous pair.
Write out the list of factors for a number.

In order to find the common factors of a set of given numbers:

State the factor pair starting with $1 \; \textbf{×} \;$ the number for the set of numbers.
Write the next smallest factor of the number and calculate its factor pair for the set of numbers.
Repeat until the next factor pair is the same as the previous pair.
Write out the list of common factors for the set of numbers.

In order to find the multiples of a number:

State the first multiple of the number starting with $1 \; \textbf{×} \;$ that number.
Calculate the second multiple of the number.
Continue until you have calculated the number of multiples needed.
List the multiples.

In order to find at least one common multiple of a number.

Use the multiplication chart to find the rows or columns of each of the numbers.
Read across the rows or down the columns to find at least one set of matching multiples.

Factors and Multiples examples

Example 1: list the factors (odd number)

List the factors of $15.$

State the factor pair starting with $1 \; \textbf{×} \;$ the number.

The factor pair is $1\times{15}.$

2Write the next smallest factor of the number and calculate its factor pair.

$15$ is an odd number so $2$ is not a factor of $15.$

However, $15\div{3}=5$ and so the next factor pair is $3 \times 5$

3Repeat until the next factor pair is the same as the previous pair.

So far we have:

$\begin{aligned} &1\times{15} \\ &3\times{5} \\ \end{aligned}$

$15$ has a remainder when it is divided by $4, 6, 7, 8, 9.$

The next factor to try is $5,$ but we already know that $3 \times 5$ is a factor pair and this is the same as $5 \times 3.$

We have now found all of the factor pairs:

$\begin{aligned} &1\times{15}\\ &3\times{5} \end{aligned}$

4Write out the list of factors for a number.

Reading down the first column of factors, and up the second column, the factors of $15$ are $1, 3, 5,$ and $15.$

Example 2: listing factors (even number)

List the factors of $18.$

State the factor pair starting with $1 \; \textbf{×} \;$ the number.

The factor pair is $1 \times 18.$

Write the next smallest factor of the number and calculate its factor pair.

$18$ is an even number so $2$ is a factor of $18.$

$18\div{2}=9$ and so the next factor pair is $2 \times 9$

Repeat until the next factor pair is the same as the previous pair.

So far we have:

$\begin{aligned} &1\times{18}\\ &2\times{9}\\ \end{aligned}$

$18$ does not have a remainder when it is divided by $3.$

The next factor is $3, \; 3 \times 6$ is the factor pair.

$18$ has a remainder when it is divided by $4$

The next factor to try is $6,$ but we already know that $3 \times 6$ is a factor pair and this is the same as $6 \times 3.$

$18$ has a remainder when it is divided by $7, 8$

The next factor to try is $9$ but we already know that $2 \times 9$ is a factor pair and this is the same as $9 \times 2$

We have now found all of the factor pairs:

$\begin{aligned} &1\times{18}\\ &2\times{9}\\ &3\times{6}\\ \end{aligned}$

Write out the list of factors for a number.

Reading down the first column of factors, and up the second column, the factors of $18$ are $1, 2, 3, 6, 9,$ and $18.$

Example 3: finding the common factors

Find the common factors of $21$ and $6.$

State the factor pair starting with $1 \; \textbf{×} \;$ the number for the set of numbers.

The first factor pair for $21$ is $1 \times 21$

The first factor pair for $6$ is $1 \times 6$

Write the next smallest factor of the number and calculate its factor pair for the set of numbers.

$21$ is an odd number so $2$ is not a factor of $21.$

However, $21\div{3}=7$ and so the next factor pair of $21$ is $3 \times 7$

$6$ is an even number so $2$ is a factor of $6.$

$6\div{2}=3$ and so the next factor pair of $6$ is $2 \times 3$

Repeat until the next factor pair is the same as the previous pair.

So far for $21,$ we have:

$\begin{aligned} &1\times{21}\\ &3\times{7}\\ \end{aligned}$

$21$ has a remainder when it is divided by $4, 5, 6, 8, 9.$

The next factor to try is $7,$ but we already know that $3 \times 7$ is a factor pair, and this is the same as $7 \times 3.$

We have now found all of the factor pairs:

$\begin{aligned} &1\times{21}\\ &3\times{7}\\ \end{aligned}$

So far for $6$ we have:

$\begin{aligned} &1\times{6}\\ &2\times{3}\\ \end{aligned}$

$6$ does not have a remainder when it is divided by $3.$ The next factor of $6$ is $3$ but we already know that $2 \times 3$ is a factor pair and this is the same as $3 \times 2.$

Write out the list of common factors for the set of numbers.

The factors of $21$ are $1, 3, 7, 21$

The factors of $6$ are $1, 2, 3, 6.$

$1$ and $3$ are the common factors of $6$ and $21.$

Example 4: listing multiples

List the first five multiples of $7$

State the first multiple of the number starting with $1 \; \textbf{×} \;$ that number.

$7\times{1}=7$

Calculate the second multiple of the number.

The second multiple of $7$ is

$7\times{2}=14.$

Continue until you have calculated the number of multiples needed.

$7\times{3}=21$

$7\times{4}=28$

$7\times{5}=35$

List the multiples.

The first $5$ multiples of $7$ are $7, 14, 21, 28,$ and $35.$

Reading across the $7’s$ row or down the $7’s$ column on a multiplication chart, you can see that those multiples are correct.

Example 5: listing multiples (two digit number)

List the first $5$ multiples of $12.$

State the first multiple of the number starting with $1 \; \textbf{×} \;$ that number.

The first multiple of $12$ is

$12\times{1}=12.$

Calculate the second multiple of the number.

The second multiple of $12$ is

$12\times{2}=24.$

Continue until you have calculated the number of multiples needed.

$12\times{3}=36$

$12\times{4}=48$

$12\times{5}=60$

List the multiples.

The first $5$ multiples of $12$ are $12, 24, 36, 48,$ and $60.$

Reading across the $5’s$ row or down the $5’s$ columns on a multiplication chart, you can see that those multiples are correct.

Example 6: common multiples

Find one common multiple of $5$ and $9.$

Use the multiplication chart to find the rows or columns of each of the numbers.

Read across the rows or down the columns to find at least one set of matching multiples.

Write the matching multiple.

$5\times{9}=45$

$9\times{5}=45$

$45$ is a common multiple of $5$ and $9.$

Teaching tips for multiples

To help students see the patterns in the numbers, use a multiplication table so that students can see examples of multiples and look for patterns.

Instead of using printable math worksheets, have young learners play games to practice their multiplication facts and remember divisibility rules. There are many digital multiples games and factors games at the fourth grade level to help students.

Identifying factors is usually more difficult for students than finding multiples. Using manipulatives, such as counters, and games help struggling learners find positive factors.

Easy mistakes to make

Confusing multiples and factors
Factors and multiples often get mixed up. Factors of a number are the whole numbers that divide into it with no remainder. Multiples are numbers that you get when you multiply one whole number by another whole number.

Forgetting that $1$ and the number itself represent a factor pair
All numbers are a factor of themselves and $1$ is a factor of every number.
For example, the factors of $6$ are $1, 2, 3,$ and $6,$ so $6$ is a factor of itself.

Remember the number itself for multiples
All numbers are a multiple of themselves.
For example, the multiples of $6$ are $6, 12, 18, 24$ and so on, so $6$ is a multiple of itself.

Practice factors and multiples questions

24, 48, 72, 96

12, 24, 36, 48

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24

2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12

The first factor of $24$ is $1.$

$1\times{24}$ is the first factor pair

The next factor of $24$ is $2$ since $24$ is an even number.

$2\times{12}$ is the next factor pair.

$3, 4, 6,$ and $8$ divide into $24$ without remainders. So, the next factor pairs are

\begin{aligned} &3\times{8}\\ &4\times{6} \end{aligned}

So the factors of $24$ are $1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12,$ and $24.$

1, 3, 5, 15

3, 5

15, 30, 45, 60

5, 15, 30, 45

The first factor of $15$ is $1.$

$1\times{15}$ is the first factor pair.

$15$ is not an even number so $2$ is not a factor. $3$ and $5$ divide into $15$ without a remainder.

So the next factor pair is: $3\times{5}$

$3\times{5}$ and $5\times{3}$ are the same factor pair.

So the factors of $15$ are $1, 3, 5,$ and $15.$

2, 4

40, 160

1, 8

1, 2, 4

List the factors of $8$ and $20.$

The first factor of $8$ is $1.$

$1\times{8}$ is the first factor pair.

$8$ is an even number so $2$ will be the next factor of $8.$

$2\times{4}$ is the next factor pair.

$3, 5, 6, 7, 9$ are not factors of 8 because they do not divide into $8$ without a remainder.

The first factor of $20$ is $1.$

$1\times{20}$ is the first factor pair.

$20$ is an even number, so $2$ divides $20$ without a remainder.

$2\times{10}$ is the next factor pair.

$3$ is not a factor of $20. \; 4$ and $5$ are factors of $20.$

$4\times{5}$ is the next factor pair. $5\times{4}$ is the same factor pair as $4\times{5}.$

$6, 7, 8, 9$ are not factors of $20$ because they do not divide $20$ without a remainder.

The factors of $8$ are $1, 2, 4, 8$

The factors of $20$ are $1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20$

The common factors are $1, 2, 4$

6, 12, 18, 24, 30

1, 2, 3, 5, 6

12, 18, 24, 30, 36

6, 12, 24, 36, 42

List the first multiple of $6$ which is $1\times{6}=6$

List the second multiple of $6$ which is $2\times{6}=12$

Continue this pattern until you have $5$ multiples.

3\times{6}=18

4\times{6}=24

5\times{6}=30

The first $5$ multiples of $6$ are: $6, 12, 18, 24, 30$

Using the multiplication chart you can see that the first $5$ multiples are $6, 12, 18, 24, 30$

Factors And Multiples Practice question Image 1

1, 2, 5, 10, 20

10, 20, 30, 40, 50

20, 30, 40, 50, 60

2, 5, 10, 20, 25

List the first multiple of $10$ which is $1\times{10}=10$

List the second multiple of $10$ which is $2\times{10}=20$

Continue this pattern until you have $5$ multiples.

3\times{10}=30

4\times{10}=40

5\times{10}=50

The first $5$ multiples of $10$ are: $10, 20, 30, 40, 50$

Using the multiplication chart you can see that the first $5$ multiples are $10, 20, 30, 40, 50$

Factors And Multiples Practice question Image 2

12

25

35

30

Use the multiplication chart by looking at all the multiples in the $5’s$ row and all the multiples in the $7’s$ row.

Find a pair of multiples that match.

$35$ is the matching multiple. $35$ is one common multiple of $5$ and $7.$

Factors And Multiples Practice question Image 3

Factors and Multiples FAQ

Are factors and multiples the same thing?

No, factors and multiples are not the same. Factors are two or more whole numbers multiplied together that give a product. In other words, a factor divides a number and leaves no remainder. A multiple is the product when one number is multiplied by another number.

Are factors and multiples always positive numbers?

No, factors and multiples can be negative numbers. However, in elementary school, students typically work only with positive numbers.

Do prime numbers have factors and multiples?

Prime numbers have an infinite number of multiples but only $2$ factors.

Are there other strategies to find factors and multiples besides using multiplication charts?

Yes, you can use a number line to find factors and multiples and to skip count.

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