BrightChamps Logo
Hamburger Menu Icon for BrightChamps Website Navigation
Login
Creative Math Ideas Image
Live Math Learners Count Icon307 Learners

Last updated on May 26th, 2025

Math Whiteboard Illustration

Factors Of 72

Professor Greenline Explaining Math Concepts

A number that divides another number exactly without leaving any remainder is called a factor. Factors play an important role in many real-life situations, such as determining the best time to schedule work shifts and events.

Factors Of 72 for Australian Students
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What are the Factors of 72

Factors of a number often come in pairs, and they can be found using different methods. The factors of 72 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36,72.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

How To Find The Factors of 72?

To find factors, kids can use different methods for easier calculations. A few commonly used methods are as follows - 

 

  • Use of Multiplication Method
  • Use of Division Method
  • Use of Prime Factor and Prime Factorization.


So, here we discuss a detailed explanation of the following methods,
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Finding Factors Using Multiplication Method

In this method, we identify pairs of numbers whose product equals the original number. Follow the steps mentioned below to find the factors:


Step 1: Start to multiply with numbers, which gives the value of 72.


Start with 1, and continue to multiply by other numbers. 


1  × 72 = 72
2  ×  36 = 72
3  ×  24 = 72
4  ×  18 = 72
6  ×  12 = 72
8  ×  9    = 72


Step 2: After the calculation, we get to these numbers, the factors of 72.


Step 3: The positive factor pairs of 72 are (1, 72), (2, 36), (3, 24), (4, 18), (6, 12), (8, 9)


Step 4: The negative factor pairs of 72 are (-1, -72), (-2, -36), (-3, -24), (-4, -18), (-6, -12), (-8, -9)
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Finding Factors Using Division Method

Using this method we will break down the given number until we get the remainder as zero. Let’s follow the steps mentioned below to find the factors of 72:


Step 1: Divide 72 by smaller numbers and see if there is any remainder. E.g., 72/1 = 72.


Step 2: Continue the process by checking other numbers as well. For 72, the factors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 72. Because 72 can be divided evenly by these numbers.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Prime Factors and Prime Factorization

In the method of prime factorization, a number is broken down into the product of its prime factors. The prime factors can be found by following the steps below:


2 is the smallest prime number of 72, so start dividing by 2. Then continue to divide with other prime numbers.


72  ÷  2 = 36
36  ÷  2 = 18
18  ÷  2 = 9
9 ÷ 3 = 3

3÷3 = 1


 The prime factorization of 72 is: 72 = 23 × 32


With prime factorization, 72 can be broken down into prime factors, 2 and 3.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Factor Tree

A factor tree is a graphical representation of breaking a composite number into its prime factors. It is an easy method to find out the factors of any number.


Step 1: 72 divided by 2 gives us the quotient 36. 


Step 2: Since 36 is not a prime number, it can be divided further.


72 ÷ 2 = 36
36  ÷ 2 = 18
18  ÷ 2 = 9
9 ÷3 = 3


 The prime factorization of 72 is written below : 
 72 =23 × 32
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Factor Pairs

Every number has either a positive or negative factor. Let us look at those sets of factors.


Positive pair Factors:(1,72), (2,36), (3,24), (4,18), (6,12), and  (8,9).
Negative pair Factors: (-1,-72), (-2,-36), (-3,-24), (-4,-18), (-6,-12), and  (-8,-9).
 

Max Pointing Out Common Math Mistakes

Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them in Factors Of 72

Children tend to make mistakes while finding the factors of a number. Let us look at how to avoid those mistakes.
 

Mistake 1

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

 Confusing Factors with Multiples
 

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

 The factors of a number can divide the given number without any remainder, whereas multiples are the products of multiplying the number by an integer.  For example for 12, the factors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. And the multiples are 12, 24, and 36, and so on. To avoid this confusion, always understand the concept separately. 
 

Max from BrightChamps Saying "Hey"

Factors Of 72 Examples

Ray, the Character from BrightChamps Explaining Math Concepts
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 1

A pizza slice into 72 slices. If each person gets 6 slices, how many people can be served?

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

The pizza can serve 12 people. 
 

Explanation

12 people can be served the pizza. To find out how many people can be served, the total number of slices divided by the total number of slices per person : 
Number of people = 72 / 6 =12 people.
 

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 2

A classroom hall has 72 seats arranged in rows. If there are 12 rows of seats, how many seats are in each row?

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

The total number of seats in each row is 6.
 

Explanation

 The hall contains 72 seats arranged in 12 rows, to find the total number of seats in each row, divide by the total number of seats by the number of rows. 
 

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 3

GCF of 72 and 24?

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24
Factors of 72: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 72
GCF =24
 

Explanation

 The greatest factor is the number having the highest value 24 is the GCF of 72 and 24.
 

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Ray Thinking Deeply About Math Problems

FAQs on Factors Of 72

1.What are the smallest and greatest factors of 72?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

2.How do you find the GCF of 72 and another number?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

3.Can there be negative factors?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

4.Is 72 a perfect square?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

5.Is 72 divisible by 6?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

6.How can children in Australia use numbers in everyday life to understand Factors Of 72?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

7.What are some fun ways kids in Australia can practice Factors Of 72 with numbers?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

8.What role do numbers and Factors Of 72 play in helping children in Australia develop problem-solving skills?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

9.How can families in Australia create number-rich environments to improve Factors Of 72 skills?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Important Glossaries For Factors Of 72

  • Factors: Factors are numbers that divide a given number exactly, without any remainder. For example, 6 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, and 6. Therefore, 1, 2, 3, and 6 are the factors of 6.

 

  • Prime Factors: Prime factors of the numbers that multiply together to give a certain product. For 72, the prime factors are 2 and 3.

 

  • Multiples: We get multiples when we multiply a number by another number. Let’s take some multiples of 2 (2, 4, 6, and so on).

 

  • Composite Numbers: composite numbers are the numbers that have more than 2 factors. For example: The composite number of 10 is 1, 2, 5, and 10

 

  • Negative Factors: These numbers are the negative counterparts of the positive factors of a number. For example: the negative factor of 10 is -1, -2, -5, -10.
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

About BrightChamps in Australia

At BrightChamps, numbers mean more than just digits—they open doors to a world of possibilities! We’re here to help children across Australia grasp essential math skills, focusing today on Factors Of 72 with a special emphasis on factors—in a way that’s fun, engaging, and easy to follow. Whether your child is figuring out the speed of a roller coaster at Luna Park Sydney, keeping score at a local cricket match, or managing their allowance to buy gadgets, understanding numbers builds everyday confidence. Our hands-on lessons make learning enjoyable and straightforward. Since kids in Australia learn differently, we customize lessons to suit each child’s style. From Sydney’s vibrant streets to the beautiful Gold Coast beaches, BrightChamps brings math to life throughout Australia. Let’s make factors an exciting part of every child’s math journey!
Math Teacher Background Image
Math Teacher Image

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

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.

Math Teacher Fun Facts Image
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.

INDONESIA - Axa Tower 45th floor, JL prof. Dr Satrio Kav. 18, Kel. Karet Kuningan, Kec. Setiabudi, Kota Adm. Jakarta Selatan, Prov. DKI Jakarta
INDIA - H.No. 8-2-699/1, SyNo. 346, Rd No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500034
SINGAPORE - 60 Paya Lebar Road #05-16, Paya Lebar Square, Singapore (409051)
USA - 251, Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808
VIETNAM (Office 1) - Hung Vuong Building, 670 Ba Thang Hai, ward 14, district 10, Ho Chi Minh City
VIETNAM (Office 2) - 143 Nguyễn Thị Thập, Khu đô thị Him Lam, Quận 7, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Dubai - BrightChamps, 8W building 5th Floor, DAFZ, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
UK - Ground floor, Redwood House, Brotherswood Court, Almondsbury Business Park, Bristol, BS32 4QW, United Kingdom