Multiples and factors
In a nutshell
A multiple is a number you get when you multiply a certain number by a whole number. A factor is a number that divides into a certain number exactly with no remainder.
Multiples
Multiples are the numbers you get by multiplying a certain number by a whole number. The times table displays the multiples of different numbers.
Example 1
What are the first 10 multiples of 5?
5×15×25×35×45×55×65×75×85×95×10=5=10=15=20=25=30=35=40=45=50
Multiples of 5=5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50.
Factors
Factors are numbers that divide into a certain number exactly with no remainder. Factors always come in pairs.
Example 2
What are the factors of 30?
1×302×153×105×6=30=30=30=30
Factors of 30=1,2,3,5,6,10,15,30.
Note: All numbers are a factor of themselves and 1.
Common factors
A common factor is a factor of two or more numbers which is the same.
Example 3
What are the common factors of 20 and 8?
Identify the factors of 20.
Factors of 20=1,2,4,5,10,20
Identify the factors of 8.
Factors of 8=1,2,4,8
Identify which factors are the same for 8 and 20.
Factors of 8 and 20=1,2,4.
Note: All even numbers have a common factor of 2.