Question 1

What are factors and how do you find them?

Accepted Answer

Factors are numbers that divide another number exactly without leaving a remainder. To find the factors of a number, you can start by dividing the number by the smallest prime number, which is 2, and continue with other prime numbers like 3, 5, 7, etc., until you reach the number itself. For example, the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

Question 2

What are multiples and how are they different from factors?

Accepted Answer

Multiples of a number are the products you get when you multiply that number by integers. Unlike factors, which are smaller or equal to the number, multiples are equal to or greater than the number. For instance, the first few multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, and so on. Multiples continue infinitely, whereas factors are limited to the number itself and numbers smaller than it.

Question 3

How can you determine the greatest common factor (GCF) of two numbers?

Accepted Answer

The greatest common factor (GCF) of two numbers is the largest number that divides both numbers exactly. To find the GCF, list all the factors of each number and identify the largest factor that appears in both lists. For example, for the numbers 18 and 24, the factors are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18 and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, respectively. The GCF is 6.

Question 4

What is the least common multiple (LCM) and how do you find it?

Accepted Answer

The least common multiple (LCM) of two numbers is the smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by both numbers. To find the LCM, list the multiples of each number and identify the smallest multiple common to both lists. For example, for 4 and 5, the multiples are 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 5, 10, 15, 20, respectively. The LCM is 20.

Question 5

Why are factors and multiples important in the Cambridge Lower Secondary Mathematics curriculum?

Accepted Answer

Understanding factors and multiples is crucial in the Cambridge Lower Secondary Mathematics curriculum as they form the foundation for more advanced topics such as fractions, ratios, and algebra. Mastery of these concepts helps students develop problem-solving skills and prepares them for higher-level mathematics, where they will encounter these ideas in various contexts.

Factors and Multiples

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