Learn: Factors, Multiples, Primes, HCF, and LCM

Welcome!Today we'll explore factors, multiples, prime numbers, the highest common factor (HCF), and the lowest common multiple (LCM). These are important concepts in maths and will help you solve problems involving numbers more effectively.

What are Factors?Factors are numbers that divide exactly into another number, leaving no remainder. For example, the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 because each divides 12 without leaving a remainder.

What are Multiples?Multiples are the results of multiplying a number by an integer. For example, the multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, and so on. Multiples go on forever!

What are Prime Numbers?Prime numbers are numbers greater than 1 that have exactly two factors: 1 and themselves. For example, 7 is a prime number because its only factors are 1 and 7.

What is the Highest Common Factor (HCF)?The highest common factor (HCF) of two or more numbers is the largest number that divides all of them exactly. For example, the HCF of 12 and 18 is 6 because it’s the largest number that divides both.

What is the Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)?The lowest common multiple (LCM) of two or more numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of all of them. For example, the LCM of 4 and 6 is 12 because 12 is the smallest number that both 4 and 6 divide into.

Review Time!Fantastic work! You've learned about factors, multiples, prime numbers, HCF, and LCM. Let's test your understanding with a few final questions.