What is a factor?

Definition

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

Introduction

A quantity is multiplied by another quantity and their product forms another quantity in mathematics. Each quantity that involves in the multiplication is called a factor of their product.

Now, let’s understand what a factor really is, by some simple understandable examples.

In this example, $2$ and $3$ are two numbers and they are involved in multiplication. The product of numbers $2$ and $3$ is equal to $6$.

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, involved in multiplication and their product is equal to $140$.

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 $140$.

Conclusion

It does not matter how many quantities are involved in the multiplication, whereas each quantity in the multiplication is called a factor of their product.

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