Introduction to Division using Factors

Hello, Year 5! Today, we are going to learn about division using factors. Division is when we split a number into equal parts. Factors are numbers that can multiply together to give us another number. So, when we use factors to help with division, it makes it easier to solve our problems!

What Are Factors?

Let’s start with factors. A factor of a number is a whole number that can divide that number without leaving a remainder. For example:

  • The factors of 10 are 1, 2, 5, and 10 because:
    • $$10 \div 1 = 10$$
    • $$10 \div 2 = 5$$
    • $$10 \div 5 = 2$$
    • $$10 \div 10 = 1$$

How Do We Use Factors in Division?

When we divide a number, we can look for pairs of factors to help us understand the division better.

Example 1: Using Factors

Let’s take the number 12. The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

If we want to divide 12 by 3, we can think of it like this:

  • What two factors of 12 can we multiply to get 12?
  • We have 3 and 4 because:
    • $$3 \times 4 = 12$$

So, when we divide:

$$12 \div 3 = 4$$

Key Rules

  1. Identify the factors of the number you are dividing.
  2. Use pairs of factors to help solve the division.
  3. If you know one factor, you can find the other by multiplying them to find the original number.
  4. Always check your work by multiplying back!

Tips and Tricks

  • Memorise the multiplication tables! Knowing your tables helps you find factors quickly.
  • Practice with small numbers first. Once you’re comfortable, move to larger numbers.
  • Draw diagrams or use counters to visualize the division and factors.

Let’s practice some questions now!

Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. What are the factors of 8?
  2. Calculate $$16 \div 4$$.
  3. Calculate $$10 \div 5$$.
  4. What are the factors of 6?
  5. Calculate $$20 \div 10$$.
  6. Calculate $$12 \div 3$$.
  7. What are the factors of 9?
  8. Calculate $$15 \div 3$$.
  9. Calculate $$18 \div 2$$.
  10. What are the factors of 12?

Medium Level Questions

  1. Calculate $$24 \div 6$$.
  2. What are the factors of 15?
  3. Calculate $$30 \div 5$$.
  4. What are the factors of 14?
  5. Calculate $$36 \div 9$$.
  6. Calculate $$21 \div 7$$.
  7. What are the factors of 28?
  8. Calculate $$27 \div 9$$.
  9. Calculate $$40 \div 8$$.
  10. What are the factors of 18?

Hard Level Questions

  1. Calculate $$48 \div 6$$.
  2. What are the factors of 36?
  3. Calculate $$72 \div 8$$.
  4. What are the factors of 50?
  5. Calculate $$60 \div 12$$.
  6. Calculate $$84 \div 12$$.
  7. What are the factors of 45?
  8. Calculate $$100 \div 25$$.
  9. Calculate $$90 \div 10$$.
  10. What are the factors of 64?

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

  1. 1, 2, 4, 8
  2. 4
  3. 2
  4. 1, 2, 3, 6
  5. 2
  6. 4
  7. 1, 3, 9
  8. 5
  9. 9
  10. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

Medium Level Answers

  1. 4
  2. 1, 3, 5, 15
  3. 6
  4. 1, 2, 7, 14
  5. 4
  6. 3
  7. 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28
  8. 3
  9. 5
  10. 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18

Hard Level Answers

  1. 8
  2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
  3. 9
  4. 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50
  5. 5
  6. 7
  7. 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 45
  8. 4
  9. 9
  10. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

Conclusion

Great job today, Year 5! Remember, using factors can help make division easier. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be a division expert!