How to find factors easily?

Steps to Solve

1. Identify the Number Start by clearly identifying the number for which you want to find the factors. Let’s say we want to find the factors of the number 12.

2. Divide by Integers Begin dividing the number by integers starting from 1 and going up to the number itself. In our case, divide 12 by integers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

3. Check for Divisibility For each integer, check if it divides evenly into the number (i.e., there is no remainder). This means if dividing 12 by an integer gives a whole number, it is a factor.

   For example:

   • $12 \div 1 = 12$ (factor)
   • $12 \div 2 = 6$ (factor)
   • $12 \div 3 = 4$ (factor)
   • $12 \div 4 = 3$ (factor)
   • $12 \div 5 = 2.4$ (not a factor)
   • $12 \div 6 = 2$ (factor)
   • $12 \div 7 = 1.714$ (not a factor)
   • $12 \div 8 = 1.5$ (not a factor)
   • $12 \div 9 = 1.333$ (not a factor)
   • $12 \div 10 = 1.2$ (not a factor)
   • $12 \div 11 = 1.0909$ (not a factor)
   • $12 \div 12 = 1$ (factor)

4. List of Factors Make a list of all the integers that divided evenly into the number. For 12, the factors are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12.