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Last updated on December 31st, 2024

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Factors Of 42

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Foundation
Intermediate
Advance Topics

A number that divides another number exactly without leaving any remainder is called a factor of the given number. Factors play an important role in mathematics and real-life situations. They are useful in deciding the best time to schedule work shifts and events.

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What are the Factors of 42

 Factors almost often come in pairs. There are several methods to figure them out, which you'll be learning in the following section. The factors of 42 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, and 42.
 

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How To Find The Factors of 42?

For finding 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 Factors and Prime Factorization

 

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

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Finding Factors Using Multiplication Method

In the multiplication method, we will try to find out the numbers that multiply together to give the value, 42, We will check the factors step by step:


Step 1: Start to multiply with numbers, which gives the value of 42.


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


1 ×  42  = 42
2 ×  21  = 42
3 ×  14  = 42
6 ×  7   = 42


Step 2: After the calculation, we get to these numbers, the factors of 42.


Step 3: The positive factor pairs of 42 found through multiplication are (1, 42), (2, 21), (3, 14), and (6, 7)


Step 4: The negative factor pairs of 274 are (-1, -42), (-2, -21), (-3, -14), and (-6, -7)
 

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Finding Factors Using Division Method

Using this method we will break down the given number till our remainder is zero. Let us go through the step-by-step process to find the factors of 42:


Step 1: Divide 42 by smaller numbers and see if there is any remainder. E.g., 42/1 = 42. 


Step 2: We will continue in the same way and check for other numbers as well. For 42, the factors are 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, and 42. Because 42 can be divided evenly by these numbers.
 

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Prime Factors and Prime Factorization

In the prime factorization method, we break down a number into its prime factor. The prime factors of 42 are 2, 3, and 7. The prime factors can be found using the methods given below:


2 is the smallest prime number, so start dividing with two. And then continue to divide with other prime numbers.


42 ÷ 2 =21
21 ÷ 3 = 7
7 ÷ 7 = 1


 The prime factorization of 42 is :


 42= 21 × 31 × 71


With prime factorization, 42 can be broken down into prime factors, 2, 3, and 7.
 

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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: 42 divided by 2 gives us the quotient 21.


Step 2: Since 21 is not a prime number, it can be divided further.


42 ÷ 2 =21
21 ÷ 3 = 7
7 ÷ 7 = 1


 The prime factorization of 42 is: 42 = 21 × 31 × 71.
 

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Factor Pairs

Every number has both positive and negative factors. Let us look at those sets of factors.


Positive pair Factors: (1, 42), (2, 21), (3, 14), and (6, 7)
Negative pair Factors:  (-1, -42), (-2, -21), (-3, -14), and (-6, -7)
 

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Factors Of 42

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Factors Of 42 Examples

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Problem 1

A teacher plans to divide 42 students into groups with an equal number of students. If 3 students have each group, how many groups can be formed?

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Explanation

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Problem 2

What is the GCF of 42 and 24?

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Explanation

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Problem 3

A packet containing 42 candies. How to divide them among 7 children equally?

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Explanation

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Problem 4

Charlie, have a rope. The length of that rope will be 42 cm, when you cut this into equal parts of 2 cm each, calculate how many pieces are there

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Explanation

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FAQs on Factors Of 42

1.What is the highest factor of 42?

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2.The highest prime factor of 42?

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3.How is the prime factorization of 42 expressed?

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4.What is the GCF of 42 and 56?

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5.Can 42 be evenly divided by 3?

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Important Glossaries For Factors Of 42

  • 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 42 the prime factors are 2, 3, and 7.

 

  • 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).
     
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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.

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Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.

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