Factors of a Number Definition | Free Printable
This article will let you know the factors of a number definition. Is learning factors a part of your multiplication unit?
Learning factors can seem like a tedious process, but it is an important one. Children should practice finding factors of a number and realizing factors of a number definition through different approaches to get a strong grip on mathematics.
Getting Factors of a Number with Your Youngsters
Our children will be able to learn the factors of a number definition very easily and interactively with the help of this activity. This approach is quite successful. This method should assist your young champ in learning basic math operations and laying a solid calculating foundation. 
Factors of a Number Definition
So the definition of factors is pretty simple. They are the numbers that are multiplied together to get the product (the answer to a multiplication problem).
For example, in the equation, 2 x 3 = 6……the numbers two and three are factors and six is the product. It is also important to note that numbers have different amounts of factors. The number 13 is a prime number.
This means that the only factors this number has is 1 and itself. You can not multiply any other whole numbers and equal 13. Then you have numbers like 24. Twenty-four is a composite number because it has three or more factors. 1 x 24 = 24 2 x 12 = 24 3 x 8 = 24 4 x 6 = 24 So the factors of 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24.
How to find the Factors of a Number
The rainbow method is a popular way of finding the factors of numbers.
The student begins by writing down the number they want to find a factor for. Then they draw an arch underneath it and write down the most obvious first two factors. 1 and itself……or in this example 1 and 12.
Now the students begin counting up to see if there are any other factors for the number 12. The number after one is 2, so they ask themselves Twelve divided by two equals what? Or what times does two equal twelve? Since the answer is both of those questions is 6, then the student makes another arch and writes 2 and 6 underneath the arch.
Now we move up to number three and ask the same questions. Twelve divided by three equals what? Or three times what equals twelve? Of course, the answer is four so another arch is added and the numbers 3 and 4 are written down.
Let’s now move up one number and come to four. Well, four is already included in our rainbow, so guess what? We have found all the factors of 12!!
Why Learn Factors?
Finding factors can be used in many upper-level math skills, but for today we will just focus on simplifying fractions. When you are going to simplify a fraction, you need to find the greatest common factor or GCF.
Let’s say you have the fraction 18/36, and you need to simplify it. Most children see that they are both even numbers and they will want to divide both the 18 and the 36 by two. When they do this they get 9/18……and this fraction is not simplified.
But if we know the factors of 18 are 1, 2, 9, 18, and the factors of 36 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 36 then we can quickly see that we need to divide by 18/18. When I do this I get the fraction 1/2 which is correctly simplified.
Since this sill is so important, today we have a fun activity to help children get in some extra practice.
Prep Work
- First, print off cards
- Next, cut them out and then laminate
- Finally, gather up dry-erase markers
Directions Related to Factors of a Number
- The children begin by looking at the numbers on the popcorn box.
- They then figure out all the factors of that numbers and write them on the popcorn.
- There should only be one number on each piece of popcorn.
Download Free Printable PDF
Download the following PDF and play with your kiddo with joy.
factors-of-a-numberEnjoy working through these factor challenges. If you have any kind of questions or suggestions, feel free to write them down in the comment box.
You have got this!
Hi there! This is Souptik Roy, a graduate of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, working as a Content Developer for the You Have Got This Math project of SOFTEKO. I am a person with a curious and creative mind. After finishing my Engineering degree, I want to explore different fields. This is why I am working here as a content developer. I have a massive interest in creative content writing. When I find that someone can learn something from my articles, this gives a lot of inspiration. hopefully, you will find interest in my article, if you have a child and want to teach them math with fun.
