Module 3: Factors and Multiples (2 Weeks)
Grade 6 Mathematics
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
Define factors and multiples.
Find factors of a given number.
Identify multiples of a given number.
Distinguish between factors and multiples.
Perform prime factorization using factor trees.
Find the HCF (Highest Common Factor) of two or more numbers.
Find the LCM (Lowest Common Multiple) of two or more numbers.
Apply HCF and LCM to solve real-life problems.
Topic 1: Factors
Definition
A factor of a number is a number that divides it exactly without leaving a remainder.
Example 1
Factors of 12:
12 ÷ 1 = 12
12 ÷ 2 = 6
12 ÷ 3 = 4
Therefore:
Factors of 12 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12}
Example 2
Factors of 18:
18 ÷ 1 = 18
18 ÷ 2 = 9
18 ÷ 3 = 6
Therefore:
Factors of 18 = {1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18}
Properties of Factors
1. Every number has at least two factors: 1 and itself.
2. Factors are always less than or equal to the number.
3. A number may have many factors.
Example
Factors of 20:
{1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20}
Practice
Find the factors of:
a) 16
b) 24
c) 30
d) 36
Topic 2: Multiples
Definition
A multiple is obtained by multiplying a number by whole numbers.
Example
Multiples of 5:
5×1=5
5 × 2 = 10
5 × 3 = 15
5 × 4 = 20
Therefore:
Multiples of 5 = {5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ...}
Example
Multiples of 7:
7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, ...
Properties of Multiples
1. Multiples can continue forever.
2. Every number has infinitely many multiples.
3. Multiples are greater than or equal to the number.
Factors vs Multiples
Factors Multiples
Divide a number exactly Obtained by multiplication
Limited in number Infinite in number
Smaller than or equal to number Usually larger than number
Example
For number 8:
Factors: 1, 2, 4, 8
Multiples: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, ...
Practice
Write first 10 multiples of:
a) 3
b) 4
c) 6
d) 9
Topic 3: Prime Numbers and Composite Numbers
Prime Number
A prime number has exactly two factors:
1 and itself.
Examples
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17
Composite Number
A composite number has more than two factors.
Examples
4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12
Special Number
1 is neither prime nor composite.
Activity
Classify the following:
2, 9, 13, 15, 19, 20, 23, 24
Topic 4: Prime Factorization
Definition
Expressing a number as a product of prime numbers.
Example
12 = 2 × 2 × 3
Prime factorization of 12:
12 = 2² × 3
Example
24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3
Prime factorization:
24 = 2³ × 3
Topic 5: Factor Trees
A factor tree helps us find prime factors.
Example: 24
24
/ \
6 4
/\ /\
2 32 2
Prime factors:
24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3
24 = 2³ × 3
Example: 36
36
/ \
6 6
/\ /\
2 32 3
Prime factors:
36 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3
36 = 2² × 3²
Practice
Draw factor trees for:
a) 18
b) 30
c) 48
d) 60
Topic 6: HCF (Highest Common Factor)
Definition
The greatest factor common to two or more numbers.
Example 1
Find HCF of 12 and 18.
Factors of 12:
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Factors of 18:
1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18
Common factors:
1, 2, 3, 6
Highest common factor = 6
Example 2
Find HCF of 24 and 36.
Prime factors:
24 = 2³ × 3
36 = 2² × 3²
Common prime factors:
2² × 3
HCF = 12
Real-Life Example
24 red balloons and 36 blue balloons are to be packed into equal groups.
Maximum balloons per group:
HCF(24,36) = 12
Answer: 12 balloons per group.
Practice
Find HCF:
a) 16 and 24
b) 18 and 30
c) 20 and 28
d) 36 and 48
Topic 7: LCM (Lowest Common Multiple)
Definition
The smallest common multiple of two or more numbers.
Example 1
Find LCM of 4 and 6.
Multiples of 4:
4, 8, 12, 16, ...
Multiples of 6:
6, 12, 18, ...
LCM = 12
Example 2
Find LCM using prime factorization.
12 = 2² × 3
18 = 2 × 3²
Take highest powers:
LCM = 2² × 3²
LCM = 36
Real-Life Example
One bell rings every 4 minutes.
Another bell rings every 6 minutes.
After how many minutes will both ring together?
LCM(4,6) = 12
Answer: After 12 minutes.
Practice
Find LCM:
a) 6 and 8
b) 9 and 12
c) 15 and 20
d) 24 and 36
Applications of HCF and LCM
1. Timetables
A bus arrives every 15 minutes.
Another arrives every 20 minutes.
When will both arrive together?
LCM(15,20) = 60 minutes
Answer: After 1 hour.
2. Grouping Objects
30 apples and 45 oranges are packed into equal groups.
Maximum number of groups:
HCF(30,45) = 15
Answer: 15 groups.
3. School Activities
Two sports classes meet every 6 days and 8 days.
When will they meet together?
LCM(6,8) = 24
Answer: After 24 days.