How to Find the Factors of a Number
Factors of a number are those numbers that can divide evenly into the given number.
To find all factors of a given number, you should always start with 1 and the number because every number is divisible by 1 and itself. List 1 at the beginning of your list and the number at the end.
Then, test whether 2 is a factor. If so, add 2 and its partner to the beginning and end of your list of factors. Continue with 3, 4, and so on until the beginning of your list meets the end of your list.
Let's try an example:
Find all factors of 32.
Since we know that every number is divisible by 1, we should always start there. When we divide 32 by 1, we get 32. Therefore, 1 goes at the beginning of our list of factors and 32 goes at the end:
1, , 32
Now, we need to check to see if 32 is divisible by 2. Since 32 divided by 2 equals 16, we add 2 and 16 to our list:
1, 2, , 16, 32
Next, we check 3. Since 32 is not divisible by 3, we omit it from our list. 3 is not a factor of 32, so we move on to 4. 32 divided by 4 is 8, so we add those numbers to our list of factors.
1, 2, 4, , 8, 16, 32
There are only 3 numbers left to check between 4 and 8. Those numbers are 5, 6, and 7. Since 32 is not divisible by 5, 6, or 7, we are done. The beginning of our list has met the end of our list and we have all of our factors of 32.
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
Watch the video below for another explanation and example.
To find all factors of a given number, you should always start with 1 and the number because every number is divisible by 1 and itself. List 1 at the beginning of your list and the number at the end.
Then, test whether 2 is a factor. If so, add 2 and its partner to the beginning and end of your list of factors. Continue with 3, 4, and so on until the beginning of your list meets the end of your list.
Let's try an example:
Find all factors of 32.
Since we know that every number is divisible by 1, we should always start there. When we divide 32 by 1, we get 32. Therefore, 1 goes at the beginning of our list of factors and 32 goes at the end:
1, , 32
Now, we need to check to see if 32 is divisible by 2. Since 32 divided by 2 equals 16, we add 2 and 16 to our list:
1, 2, , 16, 32
Next, we check 3. Since 32 is not divisible by 3, we omit it from our list. 3 is not a factor of 32, so we move on to 4. 32 divided by 4 is 8, so we add those numbers to our list of factors.
1, 2, 4, , 8, 16, 32
There are only 3 numbers left to check between 4 and 8. Those numbers are 5, 6, and 7. Since 32 is not divisible by 5, 6, or 7, we are done. The beginning of our list has met the end of our list and we have all of our factors of 32.
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
Watch the video below for another explanation and example.
Finding ALL Factors of a Number Using a Factor Rainbow by MathScreencastHelp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1PRzy4J0Ok
Practice:
Try some practice problems using the following website:
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-6/identify-factors
Show off your skills in a game of factors vs. the computer or a friend:
(change the settings for rows and columns both to 10 before starting your game)
https://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=4134
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-6/identify-factors
Show off your skills in a game of factors vs. the computer or a friend:
(change the settings for rows and columns both to 10 before starting your game)
https://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=4134
When you have become a master at finding factors, go back and retake the pre-test. You should score 80% or higher before moving on.
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