What is a factor?

Definition

A quantity that multiplies another in a product is called a factor of the quantity.

Introduction

A quantity is multiplied by another quantity to find their product in mathematics. Now, each quantity in multiplication is called a factor of their product. Now, let’s look at some simple examples to understand the fundamental definition of a factor and to know what a factor is.

In this example, $2$ and $3$ are natural numbers and they are involved in multiplication.

$2 \times 3$

Let’s multiply them to find their product. Now, the product of numbers $2$ and $3$ is equal to $6$.

$\implies$ $2 \times 3$ $\,=\,$ $6$

1. The number $2$ is called a factor of $6$.
2. The number $3$ is called a factor of $6$.

Therefore, the numbers $2$ and $3$ are called the factors of $6$.

Let’s look at another example. In this example, $4,$ $5$ and $7$ are numbers, which participated in multiplication and their product is equal to $140$.

$4 \times 5 \times 7$

$\implies$ $4 \times 5 \times 7$ $\,=\,$ $140$

1. The number $4$ is called a factor of $140$.
2. The number $5$ is called a factor of $140$.
3. The number $7$ is called a factor of $140$.

Therefore, the numbers $4,$ $5$ and $7$ are called the factors of $140$.

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