Factors and Multiples for Kids: Factor Pairs, Primes and Skip Counting (Grade 4 Math)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are learning about factors and multiples. Factors are numbers that multiply together to make a number. Multiples are what you get when you skip count by a number.

Let's find the factors of twelve. Look for pairs that multiply to make twelve. One times twelve, two times six, and three times four. So the factors of twelve are one, two, three, four, six and twelve.

Multiples are the answers when you skip count. The multiples of four are four, eight, twelve, sixteen, twenty, and they keep going forever. Every multiple of four can be shared into groups of four with nothing left over.

Factors and multiples are partners. Three is a factor of twelve, so twelve is a multiple of three. If one number divides into another with no remainder, it is a factor of that number.

A prime number has exactly two factors, one and itself. Seven is prime, because only one times seven makes seven. A composite number has more than two factors, like twelve. The number one is neither prime nor composite.

Now it's your turn. What are the factors of eighteen? Is eighteen prime or composite? Pause and try. One times eighteen, two times nine, three times six. The factors are one, two, three, six, nine and eighteen, so it is composite.

Great job! Remember, factors multiply to make a number, multiples come from skip counting, and a prime number has only two factors. Practice factors and multiples in the Math Lab at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!