Finding factors

A factor of a number is another whole number that can be  repeatedly added and equal the original number.

E.g. A factor of 16 is a whole number that can be repeatedly added and will equal 16.

Factors of 16:

One way we can find factors is to repeatedly add whole numbers and see if they will add up to 16

Start with 1…

1 + 1  + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 16

If we repeatedly add 1 we will get to 16 so Yes, 1 is a factor of 16.

 
Now try 2…

2 + 2 + 2 + 2+ 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 6

Yes, 2 is a factor of 16.



3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15

3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 18

If you repeatedly add 3 you cannot get to 16 . So no, 3 is not a factor of 16 .

 

4 + 4 + 4 + 4 =16

Yes, 4 is a factor of 16.

 

5 + 5 + 5 = 15

5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20

No, 5 is not a factor of 16.

 

6 + 6 = 12

6 + 6 + 6 = 18

No, 6 is not a factor of 16.

 

7 +  7 = 14

7 + 7 + 7 =21

No, 7 is not a factor of 16.

 

8 + 8 = 16

Yes, 8 is a factor of 16.

 

9 +  9 = 18

No, 9 is not a factor of 16.

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The factors of 16 are: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16