Factors of 12
The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. 12 is a composite number with 6 factors. Prime factorisation: 2^2 × 3.
All 6 factors of 12
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
A factor divides 12 exactly, with no remainder. Every factor has a partner: the pairs below multiply to 12. The negative factors are -1, -2, -3, -4, -6, -12, because a negative times a negative is positive.
Factor pairs of 12
| Pair | Product |
|---|---|
| 1 × 12 | 12 |
| 2 × 6 | 12 |
| 3 × 4 | 12 |
Stop at the square root (3): every pair after that is one you already have, the other way round.
Prime factorisation of 12: 2^2 × 3
| Divide | by the smallest prime | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | 1 |
So 12 = 22 × 3, that is 2 × 2 × 3.
The number of factors comes from the exponents: (2 + 1) × (1 + 1) = 6.
How to find the factors of 12
- Start with 1 and 12: every number has those two.
- Test 2, 3, 4, … up to the square root of 12, which is about 3.
- Each time a number divides exactly, write it down with its partner (the quotient).
- Use the divisibility rules to skip work: by 2 yes (the last digit is even); by 3 yes (the digit sum is 3); by 5 no (the last digit is 2).
- Put the list in order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12.
🧮 Calculator
The answer appears here, with the working in words.
✏️ Five questions, answers hidden
1. List the factors of 13.
Answer: 1, 13
2. Write the prime factorisation of 24.
Answer: 2^3 × 3
3. How many factors does 12 have?
Answer: 6
4. What is the largest factor of 12 other than itself?
Answer: 6
5. Is 14 prime or composite?
Answer: composite
📚 The class this belongs to
Factors are taught in Grade 4 and 5 in the US, Year 5 and 6 in the UK, Class 4 to 6 in CBSE (NCERT Class 6, Playing with Numbers) and Year 5 and 6 in Australia.
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