Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Factors of any number are the whole numbers that can divide the number completely. Why are factors important to learn? For mathematical approaches, factors are used in organizing and bringing more efficiency to any task. In this article, let's learn how to solve factors of 6 easily.
Factors of 6 are those numbers that can divide 6 perfectly. The factors of 6 are:
1,2,3, and 6.
Negative factors of 6: -1, -2, -3 -6
Prime factors of 6: 2,3
Prime factorization of 6: 3×2
The sum of factors of 6: 1+2+3+6=12
For finding factors of 6, we will be learning these below-mentioned methods:
This particular method often finds the pair of factors which, on multiplication together, produces 6. Let us find the pairs which, on multiplication, yields 6.
1×6=6
2×3=6
From this, we conclude that, factors of 6 are:1,2,3, and 6.
The division method finds the numbers that evenly divides the given number 6. To find the factors of 6, we have to divide 6 by all possible natural numbers less than 6 and check.
1,2,3,6 are the only factors that the number 6 has. So to verify the factors of 6 using the division method, we just need to divide 6 by each factor.
6/1 =6
6/2 =3
6/3=2
6/6=1
Prime Factorization is the easiest process to find prime factors. It decomposes 6 into a product of its prime integers.
Prime Factors of 6: 2,3.
Prime Factorization of 6: 3×2
The number 6 is written on top and two branches are extended.
Fill in those branches with a factor pair of the number above, i.e., 6.
Continue this process until each branch ends with a prime factor (number).
The first two branches of the factor tree of 6 are 2 and 3.
Factor Pairs
Positive pair factors: (1,6), (2,3)
Negative pair factors: (-1,-6), (-2,-3)
Children quite often make silly mistakes while solving factors. Let us see what are the common errors to occur and how to avoid them.
A man has 6 shirts and 18 ties. He wants to divide them equally among some poor people. What is the maximum number of people he can distribute?
Number of shirts: 6
Number of ties: 18
Factors of 6: 1,2,3,6
Factors of 18: 1,2,3,6,9,18
Common factors of 6 and 18: 1,2,3,6.
Greatest common factor of 6 and 18: 6
So, there will be 6 people for distribution.
Answer: 6 people
To divide equally, the maximum number of people can be found through the Greatest Common Factor. Here, we found the GCF, which is the answer.
Two airplanes leave the airport at the same time. One leaves every 6 hours and the other every 12 hours. When will they leave together again?
Time-lapse of the 1st airplane: 6 hours
Time-lapse of the 2nd airplane: 12 hours
Prime factorization of 6: 2×3
Prime factorization of 12: 22×3
LCM of 6 and 12: 22×3 = 12.
Both the airplanes will meet each other after 12 hours.
Answer: 12 hours
To find the time again when two airplanes will meet, we have to find the LCM of the two given time-lapses. So, did prime factorization of both 6 and 12. The LCM is the product of the highest power of each factor.
Find the GCF of 6 and 4
Factors of 6: 1,2,3,6
Factors of 4 : 1,2,4
Common factors of 6 and 4: 1,2
So, the Greatest Common Factor of 6 and 4 is 2.
Answer: 2
We first listed out the factors of 6 and 4 and then found the common factors and then identified the greatest common factor from the common list.
Find the smallest number that is divisible by 2,6,18 and 27.
Prime factorization of 2: 2×1.
Prime factorization of 6: 3×2
Prime factorization of 18: 32×2
Prime factorization of 27: 33
LCM of 2,6,18 and 27: 2×33 = 54
Answer: 54 is the smallest number which is divisible by 2,6,18,27.
To find the smallest number which is divisible by 2,6,18,27, we need to find the LCM of these numbers.
Find the LCM of 6 and 5
Prime factorization of 6: 2×3.
Prime factorization of 5: 5×1
LCM of 6 and 5: 3×2×5 = 30.
Answer: 30
Did prime factorization of both 6 and 5. The LCM is the product of the highest power of each factor.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.