Practice with Factors

In this discussion, number refers to a counting number: $\,1\,$, $\,2\,$, $\,3\,$, and so on.

The factors of a number are the numbers that go into it evenly.
For example, the factors of $\,10\,$ are $\,1\,$, $\,2\,$, $\,5\,$, and $\,10\,$.
The factors of $\,42\,$ are $\,1\,$, $\,2\,$, $\,3\,$, $\,6\,$, $\,7\,$, $\,14\,$, $\,21\,$, and $\,42\,$.

Notice that factors occur in pairs:

$1\times 42 = 42$

$2\times 21 = 42$

$3\times 14 = 42$

$6\times 7 = 42$

Every number has a factor of $\,1\,$, because $\,1\,$ goes into everything evenly.
Also, every number has itself as a factor.
Thus, the number $\,1\,$ has only one factor—itself.
Every other number has at least two factors—itself and $\,1\,$.

EXAMPLES:

Question: Is $\,6\,$ a factor of $\,42\,$?

Answer: YES; $\,6\,$ goes into $\,42\,$ evenly

Question: Is $\,7\,$ a factor of $\,30\,$?

Answer: NO; $\,7\,$ does not go into $\,30\,$ evenly

Question: Is $\,12\,$ a factor of $\,3\,$?

Answer: NO; $\,12\,$ does not go into $\,3\,$ evenly
The factors of a number cannot be bigger than the number.

Master the ideas from this section
by practicing the exercise at the bottom of this page.

When you're done practicing, move on to:
Adding and Subtracting Fractions

(an even number, please)