Multiples and Factors
A toy frog hops exactly $6$ inches every time. After a few hops, can it be sitting exactly $20$ inches from the start? And if Emma shares $28$ stickers equally among $4$ friends, will any be left over? Both questions are about multiples and factors, the starting point for everything else in this unit.
Multiples
Each hop of the frog adds $6$ inches. After $1, 2, 3, 4\ldots$ hops it has gone $6, 12, 18, 24\ldots$ inches. These numbers are the multiples of $6$.
To test a number, divide. If the division has remainder $0$, it is a multiple. The frog cannot land on $20$ because $20 \div 6 = 3$ remainder $2$.
A grasshopper is training for a competition. In each jump it advances exactly $6$ decimeters. Write the total distance it has covered after taking $1, 2, 3, 4, 5$ and…
A grasshopper is training for a competition. In each jump it advances exactly $6$ decimeters.
Write the total distance it has covered after taking $1, 2, 3, 4, 5$ and $10$ jumps. What are these numbers called with respect to $6$?
A bus route passes through the shopping center every $12$ minutes. If a bus has just left right now (minute $0$), write down all the minutes when the bus will pass again…
A bus route passes through the shopping center every $12$ minutes. If a bus has just left right now (minute $0$), write down all the minutes when the bus will pass again over the next two hours.
(Hint: You must find the multiples of $12$ until you reach $120$).
A well-known video game streamer* uploads a clip to her social media exactly every $8$ hours. If today she uploaded the first clip at $08:00$ in the morning: a) Write…
A well-known video game streamer uploads a clip to her social media exactly every $8$ hours. If today she uploaded the first clip at $08:00$ in the morning:
- a) Write the sequence of times of the day (in 24-hour format) when she will publish her next $5$ clips.
- b) Is the number of hours elapsed since the first clip a multiple of $8$? Justify your answer.
- c) How many full days will have passed when she has published a total of $10$ clips (including today's)?
Factors and factor pairs
Now run the idea backward. Emma has $12$ stickers and wants to share them equally. Which numbers of friends work, with none left over? The answers are the factors of $12$.
Factors come in pairs, two numbers that multiply to give the number. You can see each pair as a rectangle of $12$ squares.
To find all the factors, test $1, 2, 3, \ldots$ in order. Every time $n$ divides the number, you get a pair: $n$ and the quotient. Stop when the numbers you are testing meet the quotients you already found.
We have bought $18$ cans of soda for a party and we want to place them on the table forming complete rectangles (with no cans left over). For example, we can put $3$…
We have bought $18$ cans of soda for a party and we want to place them on the table forming complete rectangles (with no cans left over). For example, we can put $3$ rows of $6$ cans.
Find all the other possible ways to organize the cans and write the complete list of the factors of $18$.
Identify which of the following numbers are divisors of $24$ by carrying out the necessary divisions: $$2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 14$$ Remember: A number is a divisor of another…
Identify which of the following numbers are divisors of $24$ by carrying out the necessary divisions:
$$2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 14$$Remember: A number is a divisor of another if, when dividing them, the remainder is equal to $0$.
An animal shelter has received a donation of $48$ cans of cat food. They want to store them in small boxes, so that all the boxes have the same number of cans and none…
An animal shelter has received a donation of $48$ cans of cat food. They want to store them in small boxes, so that all the boxes have the same number of cans and none are left over.
- a) Write all the factors of $48$.
- b) If the manager wants each box to contain more than $5$ cans but fewer than $15$, what packaging options does he have? Indicate the number of cans per box and how many boxes he would need in each case.
Multiple, factor, divisible: one fact, three phrasings
Take the fact $7 \times 8 = 56$. It can be said in several ways, and they all mean the same thing:
| Statement | Point of view |
|---|---|
| $56$ is a multiple of $7$ | the big number |
| $7$ is a factor (divisor) of $56$ | the small number |
| $56$ is divisible by $7$ | the division $56 \div 7$ is exact |
The same works with $8$: $56$ is a multiple of $8$, and $8$ is a factor of $56$.
Emma wants to share $28$ stickers equally among her $4$ friends. a) How many stickers will each one receive? Are there any left over? b) Is $28$ divisible by $4$? c) Is…
Emma wants to share $28$ stickers equally among her $4$ friends.
- a) How many stickers will each one receive? Are there any left over?
- b) Is $28$ divisible by $4$?
- c) Is $4$ a divisor of $28$?
Knowing that the equality $15 \cdot 4 = 60$ is true, complete the following sentences using the words multiple or factor correctly: a) The number $60$ is a of $15$. b)…
Knowing that the equality $15 \cdot 4 = 60$ is true, complete the following sentences using the words multiple or factor correctly:
- a) The number $60$ is a ____ of $15$.
- b) The number $4$ is a ____ of $60$.
- c) The number $60$ is a ____ of $4$.
- d) The number $15$ is a ____ of $60$.
Look at the following "number jump" diagram and complete the sentences using the words multiple, factor or divisible: a) $60$ is a .................... of $12$. b) $12$…
Look at the following "number jump" diagram and complete the sentences using the words multiple, factor or divisible:
- a) $60$ is a .................... of $12$.
- b) $12$ is a .................... of $180$.
- c) $180$ is .................... by $60$.
- d) If we add the number $5$ to the diagram, what relationship would it have with $60$?
Testing numbers and how many there are
Two facts help you reason about any number.
When a problem says "true or false," do not just guess. Give an example that shows why it works, or a counterexample that shows it fails. A single counterexample is enough to prove a statement false.
In a comic shop, protective sleeves are sold in packs of $10$ units. a) Can you buy exactly $30$ sleeves? And $45$? Explain why. b) Write down the first seven multiples…
In a comic shop, protective sleeves are sold in packs of $10$ units.
- a) Can you buy exactly $30$ sleeves? And $45$? Explain why.
- b) Write down the first seven multiples of the number $10$.
State whether the following statements are True or False and justify your answer with an example or a division: a) The number $1$ is a divisor of all natural numbers. b)…
State whether the following statements are True or False and justify your answer with an example or a division:
- a) The number $1$ is a divisor of all natural numbers.
- b) Any number is a multiple of itself.
- c) The number $8$ is a divisor of $4$.
- d) A number can have infinitely many multiples.
Reason whether the following statements are true or false, giving an example or a counterexample in each case: a) If a number is a factor of $10$, it is also a factor of…
Reason whether the following statements are true or false, giving an example or a counterexample in each case:
- a) If a number is a factor of $10$, it is also a factor of all multiples of $10$ (such as $20, 30, 40...$).
- b) The set of factors of a number is infinite.
- c) If a number $a$ is a multiple of $b$, then $b$ is a factor of $a$.
- d) Any natural number is, at least, divisible by itself and by one.
Rectangles and perfect squares
A graphic designer wants to arrange $30$ square icons in a rectangle, with no icons left over. If there are $r$ rows and $c$ icons in each row, then $r \times c = 30$. So both the number of rows and the number of icons per row are factors of $30$. The factor pairs are the possible rectangles.
When the two factors in a pair are equal, the rectangle is a square. For example, $4 \times 4 = 16$.
A graphic designer is organizing a gallery of $30$ identical square icons for a website. He wants to arrange them to form a complete rectangle (with no icons left over).…
A graphic designer is organizing a gallery of $30$ identical square icons for a website. He wants to arrange them to form a complete rectangle (with no icons left over).
- a) Find all the possible ways to organize the icons (for example: $1$ row of $30$).
- b) What mathematical relationship do the dimensions of these rectangles have with the number $30$?
- c) If the design only allows the shortest side of the rectangle to have at least $3$ icons, how many options does he have now?
In Art class we are creating patterns with square tiles. To make a "super square", we need the total number of tiles to be a perfect square. a) If we have a tub with…
In Art class we are creating patterns with square tiles. To make a "super square", we need the total number of tiles to be a perfect square.
- a) If we have a tub with $80$ tiles, how many tiles are left over if we want to form the largest possible square?
- b) How many tiles would we be short of, at least, to be able to form the next larger square?
Common multiples
Two lights blink at different speeds. When do they blink together? You list the multiples of each number and look for the numbers that appear in both lists.
Suppose the garbage truck comes every $4$ days and the recycling truck every $6$ days, and both come today (day $0$).
Notice that all the common multiples after $0$ are multiples of the LCM. Both trucks come together on day $12$, day $24$, day $36$, and so on.
Two LED lights on a stage flash at different rates. The blue light turns on every $6$ seconds and the orange light every $9$ seconds. a) Write the first $10$ multiples…
Two LED lights on a stage flash at different rates. The blue light turns on every $6$ seconds and the orange light every $9$ seconds.
- a) Write the first $10$ multiples of each number (starting with $0$).
- b) At which seconds will both lights turn on at the same time during the first minute (from $0$ to $60$ seconds)?
- c) What is the first second (after $0$) when they coincide? What do we call this number in mathematics?
In a Smart City, three smart lighting systems operate on different cycles: The park lights flash every $18$ seconds. The fountain lights change every $24$ seconds. The…
In a Smart City, three smart lighting systems operate on different cycles:
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The park lights flash every $18$ seconds.
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The fountain lights change every $24$ seconds.
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The information panel updates every $30$ seconds.
If the three systems coincided for the first time at $20:00$, how many times will they coincide again before $20:15$? Use the relationship between the multiples of these numbers to work it out.
Two athletes are training on a circular track. The first takes $75$ seconds to complete one lap and the second takes $90$ seconds. If they start running at the same time…
Two athletes are training on a circular track. The first takes $75$ seconds to complete one lap and the second takes $90$ seconds.
If they start running at the same time and in the same direction:
- a) How many minutes will it take for them to coincide again at the starting line?
- b) At that moment, how many laps will each have completed?
- c) If the training session lasts a full hour, how many times will they coincide at the start, including the beginning and the end?
Common factors
Now the other direction: splitting things into identical groups. Priya has $24$ pencils and $36$ erasers. She wants to make as many identical kits as possible, with nothing left over.
The number of kits must divide both $24$ and $36$, so it must be a common factor. List the factors of each:
| Number | Factors |
|---|---|
| $24$ | $1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24$ |
| $36$ | $1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36$ |
The common factors are $1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12$.
The GCF also works for three or more numbers. One way is to list the factors of each number and pick the largest one that appears in every list. Another way is to take two numbers at a time.
A famous influencer* has received a batch of cosmetic products to raffle among her followers. She has $72$ lipsticks, $108$ nail polishes and $180$ face masks. She wants…
A famous influencer has received a batch of cosmetic products to raffle among her followers. She has $72$ lipsticks, $108$ nail polishes and $180$ face masks.
She wants to prepare the largest possible number of identical boxes (with the same contents in each) without any products left over.
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How many boxes can she prepare?
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What quantity of each product will be in each box?
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If she decides that each box cannot have more than $15$ items in total, how many boxes should she prepare now to continue ensuring they are all identical and nothing is left over?
An events company wants to organize a concert in a rectangular hall. They have bought a total of $150$ chairs. The organizer wants to arrange them so that all rows have…
An events company wants to organize a concert in a rectangular hall. They have bought a total of $150$ chairs. The organizer wants to arrange them so that all rows have the same number of chairs, but with the following restrictions:
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There must be more than $5$ rows.
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There must be more than $10$ chairs in each row.
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The number of chairs per row must be a factor of $450$ but cannot be a multiple of $4$.
Find all the possible ways to organize the chairs (rows and chairs per row) that meet these conditions.
Consider a natural number $n$ that satisfies the following two properties: 1. $n$ is a common multiple of $12$ and $15$. 2. $n$ is a factor of $360$. Write all the…
Consider a natural number $n$ that satisfies the following two properties:
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$n$ is a common multiple of $12$ and $15$.
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$n$ is a factor of $360$.
Write all the possible values of $n$. For each value found, indicate the smallest factor (other than $1$) and the smallest multiple of $n$ that is greater than $1\,000$.
Divisibility rules
You can often tell whether a number is a multiple of another just by looking at its digits, without dividing.
Why do they work? Tens, hundreds and thousands are all made of groups of $10$, so for $2$, $5$ and $10$ only the units digit matters. For $4$, hundreds are already multiples of $4$ because $100 = 4 \times 25$, so only the last two digits matter. For $3$ and $9$, each power of $10$ is one more than a multiple of $9$ ($10 = 9 + 1$, $100 = 99 + 1$), so adding the digits keeps track of what is left over.
For $11$, number the places from the right: units are place $1$ (odd), tens are place $2$ (even), and so on.
Find the value of the unknown digits $A$ and $B$ in the number $5A2B$ knowing that: The number is divisible by $2$ and by $3$ simultaneously. The number is a multiple of…
Find the value of the unknown digits $A$ and $B$ in the number $5A2B$ knowing that:
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The number is divisible by $2$ and by $3$ simultaneously.
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The number is a multiple of $11$.
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The digit $A$ is a factor of $16$ and the digit $B$ is a multiple of $4$ (other than zero).
Reason step by step how you rule out the options until you find the correct number.
A cybersecurity expert is trying to crack a four-digit PIN code hidden on a server. The system gives him the following clues about the number: It is a palindromic number…
A cybersecurity expert is trying to crack a four-digit PIN code hidden on a server. The system gives him the following clues about the number:
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It is a palindromic number (it reads the same from left to right as from right to left).
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It is a multiple of $9$ and also a multiple of $5$.
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The sum of its four digits is a factor of $36$.
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The number is greater than $5\,000$.
What is the PIN code the expert is looking for? Reason whether there is more than one possible solution.
Solving number puzzles
Many problems give you clues about a mystery number. The best strategy is to use one clue to make a short list, then test that list against the remaining clues.
Two more tips:
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A number with exactly two factors has only $1$ and itself. A number with exactly four factors is often the product of two different primes, like $6 = 2 \times 3$ with factors $1, 2, 3, 6$. Then list candidates and add their factors.
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If you test every candidate and none works, then no number fits all the clues, and that is a valid answer. Always explain which clue rules out which option.
A group of archaeologists has found an inscription with a secret numerical code. The head of the expedition gives you these clues to decipher it: It is a number between…
A group of archaeologists has found an inscription with a secret numerical code. The head of the expedition gives you these clues to decipher it:
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It is a number between $125$ and $160$.
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It is a multiple of $15$.
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It is not an even number.
What is the secret code? Reason your answer by ruling out the options that do not meet the three conditions.
We are looking for a very special number that we will call "$X$". We know the following: $X$ has exactly $4$ factors. $X$ is a two-digit number. If we add all its…
We are looking for a very special number that we will call "$X$". We know the following:
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$X$ has exactly $4$ factors.
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$X$ is a two-digit number.
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If we add all its factors, the result is $32$.
Find the value of $X$ explaining the process. Hint: Think about what type of numbers have exactly 4 factors (for example, the product of two different prime numbers).
Back to the start: the frog cannot sit on $20$ inches because $20$ is not a multiple of $6$ ($20 \div 6 = 3$ remainder $2$). Emma's $28$ stickers divide among $4$ friends with nothing left over, because $28$ is a multiple of $4$ ($28 \div 4 = 7$, remainder $0$).