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Updated Mar 17, 2026
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Understanding Factors, Multiples, and Prime Numbers
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Understanding the Key Terms
Factors are numbers that divide perfectly into another number with no remainder left over. Think of them as the building blocks hiding inside a number. When you're looking for factors, you're basically asking "what numbers can I multiply together to get this number?"
Multiples work the opposite way - they're what you get when you multiply a number by whole numbers like 1, 2, 3, and so on. It's just like reciting times tables! Multiples keep getting bigger and go on forever.
Prime numbers are the special ones that only have exactly two factors: 1 and themselves. They're like the VIPs of the number world because they can't be broken down any further.
💡 Remember: Factors divide INTO a number, multiples come FROM multiplying a number!
Finding Factors and Multiples
Finding factors is like detective work - you're hunting for pairs of numbers that multiply together to make your target number. Start with 1, then work your way up until you've found all the pairs. For example, with 12: you get 1×12, 2×6, and 3×4, giving you factors of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
Multiples are dead easy - just multiply your number by 1, 2, 3, 4, and keep going. The multiples of 7 are 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and they continue forever.
Prime numbers have exactly two factors, no more and no less. The number 7 is prime because only 1 and 7 divide into it perfectly. Remember: 1 isn't prime (it only has one factor), and 2 is the only even prime number!
💡 Quick Check: If a number has more than two factors, it's called a composite number!
The Sieve Method and Finding HCF
The Sieve of Eratosthenes is a brilliant way to find all prime numbers up to any limit. You start with a grid of numbers, cross out 1, then systematically eliminate multiples of each prime you find. It's like a mathematical sieve that lets only the primes fall through!
Finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF) involves a simple three-step process. First, list all the factors of both numbers. Then identify which factors appear in both lists. Finally, pick the biggest one from your common factors.
For example, with 18 and 24: the factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, and the factors of 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24. The common factors are 1, 2, 3, 6, so the HCF is 6.
💡 Pro Tip: The HCF is always smaller than or equal to the smaller of your two numbers!
Finding LCM and Common Mistakes
The Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) is the smallest number that both your original numbers divide into perfectly. List the multiples of each number until you spot the first one that appears in both lists. With 8 and 10: multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24, 32, 40... and multiples of 10 are 10, 20, 30, 40... so the LCM is 40.
The biggest mistake students make is mixing up factors and multiples! Factors are the few numbers that divide INTO your number, whilst multiples are the many numbers you get FROM multiplying. Think: factors are few, multiples are many.
Another common error is forgetting that 1 isn't a prime number. Prime numbers must have exactly two factors - 1 and themselves. Also, when finding HCF, make sure you list ALL the factors, not just the obvious ones.
💡 Memory Trick: HCF goes down (finding the highest factor), LCM goes up (finding the lowest multiple)!
Quick Test Summary
You've got the tools to tackle any factors, multiples, and primes question now! Factors divide into numbers exactly, multiples come from times tables, and prime numbers only have two factors: 1 and themselves.
For HCF, list all factors for each number, spot the common ones, then pick the biggest. For LCM, list multiples until you find the first match between your numbers.
The key to success is not mixing up factors and multiples - get this right and everything else falls into place. Remember that factors are the building blocks inside numbers, whilst multiples are what you build by multiplying outwards.
💡 Test Success: Practice identifying whether you need factors or multiples first - then the rest becomes straightforward!
We thought you’d never ask...
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Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Factors, Multiples, and Prime Numbers
Numbers can be broken down and built up in fascinating ways that'll help you tackle fractions and solve complex maths problems. Understanding factors, multiples, and prime numbers is like having a mathematical toolkit that makes everything else easier.
Understanding the Key Terms
Factors are numbers that divide perfectly into another number with no remainder left over. Think of them as the building blocks hiding inside a number. When you're looking for factors, you're basically asking "what numbers can I multiply together to get this number?"
Multiples work the opposite way - they're what you get when you multiply a number by whole numbers like 1, 2, 3, and so on. It's just like reciting times tables! Multiples keep getting bigger and go on forever.
Prime numbers are the special ones that only have exactly two factors: 1 and themselves. They're like the VIPs of the number world because they can't be broken down any further.
💡 Remember: Factors divide INTO a number, multiples come FROM multiplying a number!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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Finding Factors and Multiples
Finding factors is like detective work - you're hunting for pairs of numbers that multiply together to make your target number. Start with 1, then work your way up until you've found all the pairs. For example, with 12: you get 1×12, 2×6, and 3×4, giving you factors of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
Multiples are dead easy - just multiply your number by 1, 2, 3, 4, and keep going. The multiples of 7 are 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and they continue forever.
Prime numbers have exactly two factors, no more and no less. The number 7 is prime because only 1 and 7 divide into it perfectly. Remember: 1 isn't prime (it only has one factor), and 2 is the only even prime number!
💡 Quick Check: If a number has more than two factors, it's called a composite number!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
The Sieve Method and Finding HCF
The Sieve of Eratosthenes is a brilliant way to find all prime numbers up to any limit. You start with a grid of numbers, cross out 1, then systematically eliminate multiples of each prime you find. It's like a mathematical sieve that lets only the primes fall through!
Finding the Highest Common Factor (HCF) involves a simple three-step process. First, list all the factors of both numbers. Then identify which factors appear in both lists. Finally, pick the biggest one from your common factors.
For example, with 18 and 24: the factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18, and the factors of 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24. The common factors are 1, 2, 3, 6, so the HCF is 6.
💡 Pro Tip: The HCF is always smaller than or equal to the smaller of your two numbers!
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Finding LCM and Common Mistakes
The Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) is the smallest number that both your original numbers divide into perfectly. List the multiples of each number until you spot the first one that appears in both lists. With 8 and 10: multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24, 32, 40... and multiples of 10 are 10, 20, 30, 40... so the LCM is 40.
The biggest mistake students make is mixing up factors and multiples! Factors are the few numbers that divide INTO your number, whilst multiples are the many numbers you get FROM multiplying. Think: factors are few, multiples are many.
Another common error is forgetting that 1 isn't a prime number. Prime numbers must have exactly two factors - 1 and themselves. Also, when finding HCF, make sure you list ALL the factors, not just the obvious ones.
💡 Memory Trick: HCF goes down (finding the highest factor), LCM goes up (finding the lowest multiple)!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Quick Test Summary
You've got the tools to tackle any factors, multiples, and primes question now! Factors divide into numbers exactly, multiples come from times tables, and prime numbers only have two factors: 1 and themselves.
For HCF, list all factors for each number, spot the common ones, then pick the biggest. For LCM, list multiples until you find the first match between your numbers.
The key to success is not mixing up factors and multiples - get this right and everything else falls into place. Remember that factors are the building blocks inside numbers, whilst multiples are what you build by multiplying outwards.
💡 Test Success: Practice identifying whether you need factors or multiples first - then the rest becomes straightforward!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content in Mathematics
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user