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We can find a pair of factors for a two-digit number
Year 5 Unit 7
What we are learning:
- Factors are numbers that divide exactly into another number. E.g. 4 and 5 are both factors of 20 because 20 ÷ 5 = 4 or 4 x 5 = 20. It is useful to think of factors in pairs so that it is easier to find them all and the relationship between multiplication and division is made clear.
- Children sometimes confuse the terms factor and multiple. In the above example, we would say that 20 is a multiple of both 4 and 5 (it is an ‘answer’ in the 4 and the 5 times tables) and that 4 and 5 are factors of 20. Of course there are other pairs of factors of 20, like 2 and 10, or 20 and 1
- The stronger the child’s knowledge of multiplication and division facts, the easier it will be to identify factors.
ACTIVITY 1: THE FACTORS GAME
Activities you can do at home:
Play ‘factors’ game – a game for two players.
What you need: factors game board, a 1-12 spinner, counters (or coins used as heads and tails)
How to play:
1. Players each choose a number from the game board.
2. Spin the 0-9 spinner. If it lands on 1, spin again.
3. If the number on the spinner is a factor of the number chosen, the player has to say what the other factor is. E.g. choose 24, spin 8, the player has to say 3 because 8 x 3 = 24 8 and 3 are both factors of 24.
4. If the player does this correctly, they may place their counter over the number on the game board. Players cannot choose numbers that already have counters on them.
5. Play continues in this way until all numbers are covered. The winner is the player with the most counters on the game board.
Good questions to ask:
Why have you chosen that number from the game board? What numbers are you hoping the spinner will land on?
How many numbers could the spinner land on for you to be able to cover the number with one of your counters?
If you had to make your own board of numbers, which numbers would you include to increase your chances of winning?
Are there any numbers you would definitely not include? Why?
If your child:
Confuses the terms multiple and factor
Write down some multiplications together, e.g. 4 x 6 = 24 and explore which numbers are factors and which is a multiple.
Extension Activity
Please use this activity when you think your child understands the unit of work. It will deepen and extend your child’s understanding of this unit.