Beginner · 10 min
Factors and multiples
Find equal groupings and recognise when repeating schedules meet.
Find factors
A factor divides a whole number without a remainder. List factor pairs to avoid missing a possible grouping.
Worked example
Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Find a common multiple
Multiples come from multiplying by whole numbers. The least common multiple is the smallest positive value in both lists.
Worked example
Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12…; multiples of 6: 6, 12…; first shared value: 12
Plan repeating events
- List the positive multiples of 3 and 5 up to 30.
- Find when two events repeating every 3 and 5 minutes next coincide.