A factor is a number which divides into another number, without leaving a remainder. Factors should be whole, positive numbers.
Factors always come in pairs. This pair will always multiply together to give the original number.
A rectangular number is 鈥
Have a go
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How does it work?
Example
Find all the factors of 12
Bitesize tip: It can be useful to use cubes (that click together) when finding the factors - crackers may be too tempting to eat!
- Take 12 cubes and use them to create a perfect rectangle.
- Note the height and width of the rectangle. These are both factors of 12.
- Repeat until you've found all the ways to make a perfect rectangle from 12 cubes.
12 cubes can form a rectangle with a height of 1 and a base of 12. This means 1 and 12 are factors.
12 cubes can form a rectangle with a height of 2 and a base of 6. This means 2 and 6 are factors.
12 cubes can form a rectangle with a height of 3 and a base of 4. This means 3 and 4 are factors.
Each of the above rectangles can be rotated 90掳 to give 3 more arrangements. In total you should have 6 different arrays (arrangements of cubes). These are all the ways that 12 cubes can be shared out equally.
You've now shown that 12 has six different factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12.
More on Prime numbers, factors and multiples
Find out more by working through a topic
- count5 of 5
- count1 of 5
- count2 of 5
- count3 of 5
