How_To_Be_Good_At_Math

28 NUMBERS •^ FACTORS

Factors

A factor is a whole number that can be divided or shared into another number.

Every number has at least two factors, because it can be divided by itself and 1.

When we divide the bar into

three, we get three groups of

four. So, 3 and 4 are factors of 12.

Dividing the bar into two gives

two groups of six squares.

So, 2 and 6 are also factors of 12.

If we divide the 12-square bar

by one, it stays whole. So, 1

and 12 are both factors of 12.

When the bar’s divided into

four, we get four groups of

three squares. We already know

that 4 and 3 are factors of 12.

Let’s look again at the factors of 12 we

found. Each pair can be written in two

different ways.

So, the factor pairs of 12, written in

either order, are: 1 and 12, 2 and 6,

and 3 and 4.

What is a factor?

This chocolate bar is made up of 12 squares. We can use it to find the factors

of 12 by working out how many ways we can share it into equal parts.

Factor pairs

Factors always come in

pairs. Two numbers that

make a new number

when multiplied together

are called a factor pair.

1 × 12 = 12 or 12 × 1 = 12

2 × 6 = 12 or 6 × 2 = 12

3 × 4 = 12 or 4 × 3 = 12

12

1, 12

2, 6

3, 4

Finally, we can divide the

bar into 12 and get 12

groups of one square. We’ve

now found all the factors of 12.

Dividing the bar by six gives

six groups of two squares.

We have already found that 6

and 2 are factors of 12.

12 ÷ 1 = 12

12 ÷ 4 = 3 12 ÷ 6 = 2 12 ÷ 12 = 1

12 ÷ 2 = 6 12 ÷ 3 = 4

028_029_Factors_WhatisFactor.indd 28 29/02/2016 18:56