- Definition
A factor is a whole number that can be multiplied by another whole number to get a specific number. For instance, the factors of 10 are 1, 2, 5, and 10 because 1x10=10 and 2x5=10.
Because 2 and 3 multiply together to make 6, 2 and 3 are factors of 6.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Factors are like the building blocks that perfectly fit together to make a bigger number.
Ask your child: What numbers can we multiply together to get 6?
Common mix-up: Kids often confuse factors with multiples. A factor is a number that fits evenly into our number, not a number we get by skip counting past it.
Examples
- The number 10 has 2 and 5 as factors, because 2 times 5 equals 10.
- Every whole number has 1 and itself as factors, so 1 and 4 are factors of 4.
factor is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
+70 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
