Pre-Algebra

Pre-Algebra introduces foundational concepts in mathematics, including integers, fractions, and basic equations, essential for higher-level math courses.

Advanced Topics

Factors and Multiples

What Are Factors?

Factors are numbers you can multiply together to get another number. For example, 2 and 3 are factors of 6 because \( 2 \times 3 = 6 \).

What Are Multiples?

Multiples of a number are what you get when you multiply that number by 1, 2, 3, and so on. The multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, etc.

Why Do We Care?

Factors and multiples help us with things like finding patterns, simplifying fractions, and solving real-world problems (like making equal groups).

Quick Tricks

  • Every number has 1 and itself as factors.
  • Multiples go on forever!

Examples

  • The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

  • The first five multiples of 7 are 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35.

In a Nutshell

Factors divide exactly into a number, while multiples are what you get by multiplying a number.