Hey there, Math Aces! Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of factors, and our star number is 36. Whether you're in grade 4 or up, understanding factors is a crucial math skill. So, let's break it down in an exciting and easy-to-understand way.
What are Factors?
Factors are numbers that you can multiply together to get another number. For example, if we look at 36, we need to find all pairs of numbers that, when multiplied, give us 36. These are called factor pairs.
Finding the Factors of 36
To find the factors of 36, let's start with 1, because 1 times any number gives you that number. So, 1 x 36 is our first factor pair.
Next, we try 2. Since 36 is an even number, it's divisible by 2. Dividing 36 by 2, we get 18. So, 2 x 18 is our second factor pair.
Continuing this method, we find:
3 x 12
4 x 9
6 x 6
And that's it! The factors of 36 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 36.
Examples of Finding Factors
Example 1: Let’s find the factors of 18. Starting with 1 x 18, then 2 x 9, and finally 3 x 6. The factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18.
Example 2: How about 24? We get 1 x 24, 2 x 12, 3 x 8, and 4 x 6. The factors of 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24.
Exploring Common Factors
When two numbers share factors, those are called common factors. For instance, the common factors of 36 and 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. The greatest common factor (GCF) or highest common factor (HCF) is the largest one shared, which is 12 in this case.
Want to Learn More?
Dive deeper into factors and enjoy fun, animated videos and presentations on our Mr. Ace Math YouTube channel. And don’t forget to gear up for math class with supplies from Mr. Ace Math’s Amazon Affiliate Store.
Stay curious and keep exploring, Math Aces!
See you in math class,
~Mr. Ace
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