A factor is a whole number which exactly divides another whole number.

When we compare lists of factors of two or more numbers, any factors that are the same are common factors.

A prime factor is a factor of a number that is a prime number.

Explain how to identify common factors between two or more numbers

Maths

 In this unit pupils will explain how to identify a multiple or common multiple to solve problems in a range of contexts. In the future unit pupils will explain why the product stays the same when one factor is doubled and the other is halved and use knowledge of equivalence when scaling factors to solve problems.

In the prior unit pupils explained reasons for changing 2-factor multiplication calculations to 3-factor multiplications and explained what a factor is and how to use arrays and multiplication/division facts to find them. They identified prime numbers and composite numbers. In this unit pupils will explain how to identify a multiple or common multiple to solve problems in a range of contexts.

Use common factors and multiples to solve calculations efficiently

Factors that are found the most in numbers

Complete the sentence. {{ }} is a common factor of every number.

Use the prime factors to find the factors of 36  Tick each correct factor

Two numbers that multiply each other to form a product are known as:

Tick the number(s) that represent the factors in this equation 21 = 7 × 3

Match the factor pairs for the product of 20

Write down the incorrect factor of 30 from this factor bug.

Tick the prime factors of 12, using the factor circle to help you.

Which image of a factor circle represents the number 24 as prime factors?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Explain how to identify common factors between two or more numbers

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.