Defining Factors and Factor Pairs
This Grade 4 Eureka Math skill introduces the definitions of factors and factor pairs. If a times b equals c, then a and b are both factors of c, and the pair (a, b) is called a factor pair of c. For example, since 3 times 4 = 12, both 3 and 4 are factors of 12 and (3, 4) is a factor pair. Since 2 times 10 = 20, the pair (2, 10) is a factor pair of 20. This foundational vocabulary from Chapter 14 of Eureka Math Grade 4 supports divisibility reasoning, prime/composite classification, and finding all factor pairs of a number.
Key Concepts
Factors are numbers that are multiplied together to get a product. If $a \times b = c$, then $a$ and $b$ are factors of $c$. The set $(a, b)$ is called a factor pair of $c$.
Common Questions
What is a factor?
A factor is a whole number that you multiply with another to get a product. If a times b = c, then both a and b are factors of c.
What is a factor pair?
A factor pair is a set of two factors that multiply together to produce a specific product. For example, (3, 4) is a factor pair of 12 because 3 times 4 = 12.
What are the factor pairs of 12?
The factor pairs of 12 are (1, 12), (2, 6), and (3, 4), since 1x12=12, 2x6=12, and 3x4=12.
What are the factor pairs of 20?
The factor pairs of 20 are (1, 20), (2, 10), and (4, 5), since 2x10=20 and 4x5=20.
How do factor pairs relate to division?
If (a, b) is a factor pair of c, then c divided by a = b and c divided by b = a, both with remainder 0. Factor pairs and divisibility are two sides of the same relationship.