Factors and multiples are elements the of basic mathematics and children start learning about them at a very young age. Although quite basic, they are the basis of many other mathematical concepts. This article, therefore, aims at offering a comparison of the two, defining the two, differentiating between the two and establishing the relationship between the two.
The following is a definition of factors and multiples:
Factors:
Factor is any number which will give a remainder zero when divided by another number. Can they help you define the factors? Consider them as the components of a given number. For instance, the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12.
Multiples: Multiples are the products of a given number with other numbers. They are in actuality the ‘times table’ of a number. For instance, the first few multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15.
Interconnection
However, one thing should be noted: factors and multiples are related in some way.
Divisibility: If one number is a factor of another number, then the second number is a multiple of the first number. For instance, 3 is a factor of 12 and 12 is a multiple of 3.
Prime Factorization: All numbers can be written uniquely as the product of prime numbers. This factorization is useful in the determination of factors as well as multiples.
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