Numbers can be broken down and built up in fascinating... Show more
Mathematics2 views·Updated May 22, 2026·5 pagesUnderstanding Factors, Multiples, and Prime Numbers
1 / 5
1
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Understanding the Key Terms
Factors are numbers that divide perfectly into another number with no remainder left over. Think of them as the building blocks hiding inside a number. When you're looking for factors, you're basically asking "what numbers can I multiply together to get this number?"
Multiples work the opposite way - they're what you get when you multiply a number by whole numbers like 1, 2, 3, and so on. It's just like reciting times tables! Multiples keep getting bigger and go on forever.
Prime numbers are the special ones that only have exactly two factors: 1 and themselves. They're like the VIPs of the number world because they can't be broken down any further.
💡 Remember: Factors divide INTO a number, multiples come FROM multiplying a number!
2
of 5
Finding Factors and Multiples
Finding factors is like detective work - you're hunting for pairs of numbers that multiply together to make your target number. Start with 1, then work your way up until you've found all the pairs. For example, with 12: you get 1×12, 2×6, and 3×4, giving you factors of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
Multiples are dead easy - just multiply your number by 1, 2, 3, 4, and keep going. The multiples of 7 are 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and they continue forever.
Prime numbers have exactly two factors, no more and no less. The number 7 is prime because only 1 and 7 divide into it perfectly. Remember: 1 isn't prime (it only has one factor), and 2 is the only even prime number!
💡 Quick Check: If a number has more than two factors, it's called a composite number!
3
of 5
The Sieve Method and Finding HCF
The Sieve of Eratosthenes is a brilliant way to find all prime numbers up to any limit. You start with a grid of numbers, cross out 1, then systematically eliminate multiples of each prime you find. It's like a mathematical sieve that lets only the primes fall through!
Finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF) involves a simple three-step process. First, list all the factors of both numbers. Then identify which factors appear in both lists. Finally, pick the biggest one from your common factors.
For example, with 18 and 24: the factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, and the factors of 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24. The common factors are 1, 2, 3, 6, so the HCF is 6.
💡 Pro Tip: The HCF is always smaller than or equal to the smaller of your two numbers!
4
of 5
Finding LCM and Common Mistakes
The Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) is the smallest number that both your original numbers divide into perfectly. List the multiples of each number until you spot the first one that appears in both lists. With 8 and 10: multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24, 32, 40... and multiples of 10 are 10, 20, 30, 40... so the LCM is 40.
The biggest mistake students make is mixing up factors and multiples! Factors are the few numbers that divide INTO your number, whilst multiples are the many numbers you get FROM multiplying. Think: factors are few, multiples are many.
Another common error is forgetting that 1 isn't a prime number. Prime numbers must have exactly two factors - 1 and themselves. Also, when finding HCF, make sure you list ALL the factors, not just the obvious ones.
💡 Memory Trick: HCF goes down (finding the highest factor), LCM goes up (finding the lowest multiple)!
5
of 5
Quick Test Summary
You've got the tools to tackle any factors, multiples, and primes question now! Factors divide into numbers exactly, multiples come from times tables, and prime numbers only have two factors: 1 and themselves.
For HCF, list all factors for each number, spot the common ones, then pick the biggest. For LCM, list multiples until you find the first match between your numbers.
The key to success is not mixing up factors and multiples - get this right and everything else falls into place. Remember that factors are the building blocks inside numbers, whilst multiples are what you build by multiplying outwards.
💡 Test Success: Practice identifying whether you need factors or multiples first - then the rest becomes straightforward!
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Mathematics2 views·Updated May 22, 2026·5 pagesUnderstanding Factors, Multiples, and Prime Numbers
Numbers can be broken down and built up in fascinating ways that'll help you tackle fractions and solve complex maths problems. Understanding factors, multiples, and prime numbers is like having a mathematical toolkit that makes everything else easier.
1
of 5Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
Understanding the Key Terms
Factors are numbers that divide perfectly into another number with no remainder left over. Think of them as the building blocks hiding inside a number. When you're looking for factors, you're basically asking "what numbers can I multiply together to get this number?"
Multiples work the opposite way - they're what you get when you multiply a number by whole numbers like 1, 2, 3, and so on. It's just like reciting times tables! Multiples keep getting bigger and go on forever.
Prime numbers are the special ones that only have exactly two factors: 1 and themselves. They're like the VIPs of the number world because they can't be broken down any further.
💡 Remember: Factors divide INTO a number, multiples come FROM multiplying a number!
2
of 5Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
Finding Factors and Multiples
Finding factors is like detective work - you're hunting for pairs of numbers that multiply together to make your target number. Start with 1, then work your way up until you've found all the pairs. For example, with 12: you get 1×12, 2×6, and 3×4, giving you factors of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
Multiples are dead easy - just multiply your number by 1, 2, 3, 4, and keep going. The multiples of 7 are 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and they continue forever.
Prime numbers have exactly two factors, no more and no less. The number 7 is prime because only 1 and 7 divide into it perfectly. Remember: 1 isn't prime (it only has one factor), and 2 is the only even prime number!
💡 Quick Check: If a number has more than two factors, it's called a composite number!
3
of 5Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
The Sieve Method and Finding HCF
The Sieve of Eratosthenes is a brilliant way to find all prime numbers up to any limit. You start with a grid of numbers, cross out 1, then systematically eliminate multiples of each prime you find. It's like a mathematical sieve that lets only the primes fall through!
Finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF) involves a simple three-step process. First, list all the factors of both numbers. Then identify which factors appear in both lists. Finally, pick the biggest one from your common factors.
For example, with 18 and 24: the factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, and the factors of 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24. The common factors are 1, 2, 3, 6, so the HCF is 6.
💡 Pro Tip: The HCF is always smaller than or equal to the smaller of your two numbers!
4
of 5Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
Finding LCM and Common Mistakes
The Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) is the smallest number that both your original numbers divide into perfectly. List the multiples of each number until you spot the first one that appears in both lists. With 8 and 10: multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24, 32, 40... and multiples of 10 are 10, 20, 30, 40... so the LCM is 40.
The biggest mistake students make is mixing up factors and multiples! Factors are the few numbers that divide INTO your number, whilst multiples are the many numbers you get FROM multiplying. Think: factors are few, multiples are many.
Another common error is forgetting that 1 isn't a prime number. Prime numbers must have exactly two factors - 1 and themselves. Also, when finding HCF, make sure you list ALL the factors, not just the obvious ones.
💡 Memory Trick: HCF goes down (finding the highest factor), LCM goes up (finding the lowest multiple)!
5
of 5Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
Quick Test Summary
You've got the tools to tackle any factors, multiples, and primes question now! Factors divide into numbers exactly, multiples come from times tables, and prime numbers only have two factors: 1 and themselves.
For HCF, list all factors for each number, spot the common ones, then pick the biggest. For LCM, list multiples until you find the first match between your numbers.
The key to success is not mixing up factors and multiples - get this right and everything else falls into place. Remember that factors are the building blocks inside numbers, whilst multiples are what you build by multiplying outwards.
💡 Test Success: Practice identifying whether you need factors or multiples first - then the rest becomes straightforward!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
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