What is Factor?
Two numbers which are multiplying with each other are known as the factors of the products. A factor divides the number completely.
In
3 x 4 = 12
3 and 4 are the factors of 12.
Example
Is 3 a factor of 24?
Solution: We divide 24 by 3.
As we see there is no remainder or we can say that remainder is 0.
So 3 is a factor of 24.
Properties of Factors
1. 1 is a factor of every number. Or every number is divided by 1.
For example
2. Every number is a factor of itself.
For example
3. If a number is factor of another number than all its factors will be the factors of that number.
Suppose, 6 is a factor of 12.
And 2 and 3 are the factors of 6.
So, 2 and 3 will be the factors of 12.
4. A factor can not be larger than its products.
5. 0 can not be factor of any number.
6. Every number has a minimum of two factors 1 and the number itself.
How to Find Factors of a Number
There are two way of finding the factors of a number, which is given below:
1. Factor by multiplication Method
Suppose, we have to find the factors of 24.
So,
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.
2. Factor by Division Method
We may try to find the factors of 24 by the division method.
As,
So, the factors of 24 are 1,2 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24.