Page 53 - Math Skill - 4

Factors and Multiples 51

Factors
For a school dance competition, 12 dancers went to the stage together.
The choreographer drew the different ways they could do it.

(a)

1 line of 12 dancers (1 × 12 = 12)

(b) (c)

2 lines of 6 dancers each (2 × 6 = 12)

3 lines of 4 dancers each (3 × 4 = 12)

1, 12; 2, 6; 3, 4 are the only pair of numbers when multiplied gives 12 as the product.
We know that the numbers that are multiplied to get a product are called the factors of the
product.

Therefore, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 are all factors of 12.
We can also say that 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 are the numbers which divide the number 12 completely.
Thus, in other words, factors of a number divide that number completely.

Finding Factors

We can find the factors of a given number by multiplication or division. Let‘s learn this with
the help of given examples.

Let’s Attempt

Example 1: Find the factors of 18 by multiplication.
Solution: To find the factors of 18, we write 18 as product of two numbers starting from 1 it
as

18 = 1 × 18 or 18 × 1 Now, there are no other numbers which give 18

18 = 2 × 9 or 9 × 2 as product.
18 = 3 × 6 or 6 × 3 Thus, the factors of 18 are : 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18

18 = 4 × ?