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

Welcome!I've tailored this lesson to help you strengthen your understanding of factors, multiples, primes, HCF, and LCM. These are fundamental concepts in mathematics that will help you solve many types of problems.

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. Factors are useful in simplifying fractions and solving equations.

What are Multiples?Multiples are numbers that result from multiplying a given number by integers. For example, the multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, and so on. Multiples are important for finding common denominators and solving word problems.

What are Prime Numbers?Prime numbers are numbers greater than 1 that have exactly two factors: 1 and themselves. For example, 2, 3, 5, and 7 are prime numbers because they cannot be divided evenly by any number other than 1 and themselves.

What is HCF?The highest common factor (HCF) is the largest number that divides two or more numbers exactly. For example, the HCF of 12 and 18 is 6 because it is the largest number that they have as a common factor.

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

How to Find HCF and LCMYou can find the HCF and LCM using prime factorisation. Write each number as a product of primes, then:For HCF, take the smallest powers of common primes.For LCM, take the highest powers of all primes.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about factors, multiples, primes, HCF, and LCM. Now let's test your understanding with a few questions.