120 LearnersLast updated on May 26th, 2025
Factors of -16
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 -16, how they are used in real life, and the tips to learn them quickly.
What are the Factors of -16?
The numbers that divide -16 evenly are known as factors of -16.
A factor of -16 is a number that divides the number without a remainder.
The factors of 16 are 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16.
The negative factors of -16: -1, -2, -4, -8, and -16.
Prime factors of 16: 2.
Prime factorization of 16: 24.
The sum of factors of 16 (positive only): 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 = 31
How to Find Factors of -16?
Factors can be found using different methods. Mentioned below are some commonly used methods:
- Finding factors using multiplication
- Finding factors using the division method
- Prime factors and Prime factorization
Finding Factors Using Multiplication
To find factors using multiplication, we need to identify the pairs of numbers that are multiplied to give 16. Identifying the numbers which are multiplied to get the number 16 is the multiplication method.
Step 1: Multiply 16 by 1, 16 × 1 = 16.
Step 2: Check for other numbers that give 16 after multiplying
2 × 8 = 16
4 × 4 = 16
Therefore, the positive factor pairs of 16 are: (1, 16), (2, 8), (4, 4).
For every positive factor, there is a negative factor for -16: (-1, -16), (-2, -8), (-4, -4).
Finding Factors Using Division Method
Dividing the given numbers with the whole numbers until the remainder becomes zero and listing out the numbers which result in whole numbers as factors. Factors can be calculated by following a simple division method:
Step 1: Divide 16 by 1, 16 ÷ 1 = 16.
Step 2: Continue dividing 16 by the numbers until the remainder becomes 0.
16 ÷ 1 = 16
16 ÷ 2 = 8
16 ÷ 4 = 4
Therefore, the factors of 16 are: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16.
The factors of -16 are: -1, -2, -4, -8, -16.
Prime Factors and Prime Factorization
The factors can be found by dividing with prime numbers. We can find the prime factors using the following methods:
- Using prime factorization
- Using factor tree
Using Prime Factorization: In this process, prime factors of 16 divide the number to break it down into the multiplication form of prime factors till the remainder becomes 1.
16 ÷ 2 = 8
8 ÷ 2 = 4
4 ÷ 2 = 2
2 ÷ 2 = 1
The prime factor of 16 is 2.
The prime factorization of 16 is: 24.
Factor Tree
The factor tree is the graphical representation of breaking down any number into prime factors. The following steps show:
Step 1: Firstly, 16 is divided by 2 to get 8.
Step 2: Now divide 8 by 2 to get 4.
Step 3: Then divide 4 by 2 to get 2. Here, 2 is the smallest prime number, that cannot be divided anymore.
So, the prime factorization of 16 is: 24.
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 16: (1, 16), (2, 8), and (4, 4).
Negative factor pairs of -16: (-1, -16), (-2, -8), and (-4, -4).
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Factors of -16
Mistakes are common while finding factors. We can identify and correct those mistakes using the following common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
Mistake 1
Forgetting the number itself and 1 is a factor
Children might forget to add the given number itself and 1 as a factor. The number itself and 1 are the factors for every whole number. Always remember to include 1 and the number itself.
For example, in factors of 16, 1 and 16 are also factors.
Mistake 2
Missing Negative Factors
We often only mention positive factors. There are also negative factors, always check whether you have mentioned negative factors.
For example, the factors of -16 include -1, -2, -4, etc.
Mistake 3
Including Fractions
Children might sometimes mistakenly include fractions as factors. Only whole numbers can be factors.
For example, thinking 1.5 is a factor, because 16/1.5 = 10.666, and it is not a whole number.
Mistake 4
Confusing Factors With Prime Numbers
Remember that factors can be any whole numbers, not only primes.
For example, thinking all the factors of 16 are prime numbers. For example, 2 is the prime factor of 16, but it has other factors like 4, 8.
Mistake 5
Mistake in Factorization
Children might skip the steps in factorization and end up writing the wrong factors.
For example, not breaking 16 as 2^4 and missing all the key factors.
Factors of -16 Examples
Problem 1
There are 4 friends and 16 candies. How will they divide it equally?
They will get 4 candies each.
Explanation
To divide the candies equally, we need to divide the total candies by the number of friends.
16/4 = 4
Problem 2
A garden is rectangular, the length of the garden is 4 meters and the total area is 16 square meters. Find the width?
4 meters.
Explanation
To find the width of the garden, we use the formula,
Area = length × width
16 = 4 × width
To find the value of width, we shift 4 to the left side.
16/4 = width
Width = 4.
Problem 3
There are 8 boxes and 16 apples. How many apples will be in each box?
Each box will have 2 apples.
Explanation
To find the apples in each box, divide the total apples by the boxes.
16/8 = 2
Problem 4
In a class, there are 16 students, and 2 groups. How many students are there in each group?
There are 8 students in each group.
Explanation
Dividing the students by the total groups, we will get the number of students in each group.
16/2 = 8
Problem 5
16 books need to be arranged in 4 shelves. How many books will go on each shelf?
Each of the shelves has 4 books.
Explanation
Divide total books by shelves.
16/4 = 4
FAQs on Factors of -16
1.What are the factors of -16?
2.Mention the prime factors of 16.
3.Is 16 a multiple of 4?
4.Mention the factor pairs of 16.
5.What is the square of 16?
6.How can children in Thailand use numbers in everyday life to understand Factors of -16?
7.What are some fun ways kids in Thailand can practice Factors of -16 with numbers?
8.What role do numbers and Factors of -16 play in helping children in Thailand develop problem-solving skills?
9.How can families in Thailand create number-rich environments to improve Factors of -16 skills?
Important Glossaries for Factors of -16
- Factors: The numbers that divide the given number without leaving a remainder are called factors. For example, the factors of 16 are 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16.
- Prime factors: The factors which are prime numbers. For example, 2 is the prime factor of 16.
- Prime factorization: Expressing a number as the product of its prime factors. For example, the prime factorization of 16 is 24.
- Factor pairs: Two numbers in a pair that are multiplied to give the original number are called factor pairs. For example, the factor pairs of 16 are (1, 16), (2, 8), etc.
- Negative factors: These are the negative counterparts of the positive factors for negative numbers. For example, the negative factors of -16 are -1, -2, -4, -8, and -16.
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About BrightChamps in Thailand
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.
Fun Fact
: She loves to read number jokes and games.
