Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Factors are the numbers that divide any given number evenly without remainder. In daily life, we use factors for tasks like sharing items equally, arranging things, etc. In this topic, we will learn about the factors of -6, how they are used in real life, and tips to learn them quickly.
The numbers that divide -6 evenly are known as factors of -6.
A factor of -6 is a number that divides the number without remainder.
The factors of -6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.
Negative factors of -6: -1, -2, -3, and -6.
Prime factors of 6: 2 and 3.
Prime factorization of 6: 2 × 3.
The sum of factors of 6: 1 + 2 + 3 + 6 = 12
Factors can be found using different methods. Mentioned below are some commonly used methods:
To find factors using multiplication, we need to identify the pairs of numbers that are multiplied to give 6. Identifying the numbers which are multiplied to get the number 6 is the multiplication method.
Step 1: Multiply 6 by 1, 6 × 1 = 6.
Step 2: Check for other numbers that give 6 after multiplying 2 × 3 = 6
Therefore, the positive factor pairs of 6 are: (1, 6), (2, 3).
All these factor pairs result in 6. For every positive factor, there is a negative factor.
Dividing the given numbers with whole numbers until the remainder becomes zero and listing out the numbers which result as whole numbers as factors. Factors can be calculated by following a simple division method
Step 1: Divide 6 by 1, 6 ÷ 1 = 6.
Step 2: Continue dividing 6 by the numbers until the remainder becomes 0.
6 ÷ 1 = 6
6 ÷ 2 = 3
Therefore, the factors of 6 are: 1, 2, 3, 6.
The factors can be found by dividing them with prime numbers. We can find the prime factors using the following methods:
Using Prime Factorization: In this process, prime factors of 6 divide the number to break it down in the multiplication form of prime factors till the remainder becomes 1.
6 ÷ 2 = 3
3 ÷ 3 = 1
The prime factors of 6 are 2 and 3.
The prime factorization of 6 is: 2 × 3.
The factor tree is the graphical representation of breaking down any number into prime factors. The following step shows
Step 1: Firstly, 6 is divided by 2 to get 3. Here, 3 is the smallest prime number that cannot be divided anymore.
So, the prime factorization of 6 is: 2 × 3.
Factor Pairs: Two numbers that are multiplied to give a specific number are called factor pairs. Both positive and negative factors constitute factor pairs.
Positive factor pairs of 6: (1, 6), (2, 3).
Negative factor pairs of 6: (-1, -6), (-2, -3).
Mistakes are common while finding factors. We can identify and correct those mistakes using the following common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A gardener has 6 pots and 6 plants. How many plants will each pot have?
Each pot will have 1 plant.
To divide the plants equally, we need to divide the total plants by the number of pots.
6/6 = 1
A rectangular garden has a width of 2 meters and the total area is 6 square meters. Find the length?
3 meters.
To find the length of the garden, we use the formula, Area = length × width
6 = length × 2
To find the value of length, we need to shift 2 to the left side.
6/2 = length
Length = 3.
There are 3 tables and 6 chairs. How many chairs will be at each table?
Each table will have 2 chairs.
To find the chairs at each table, divide the total chairs by the tables.
6/3 = 2
In a class, there are 6 students, and 2 groups. How many students are there in each group?
There are 3 students in each group.
Dividing the students by the total groups, we will get the number of students in each group.
6/2 = 3
6 books need to be arranged in 2 shelves. How many books will go on each shelf?
Each of the shelves has 3 books.
Divide total books by shelves.
6/2 = 3
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.