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287 LearnersLast updated on December 11, 2025
Factors of -12
What are the Factors of -12?
The numbers that divide -12 evenly are known as factors of -12.
A factor of -12 is a number that divides the number without remainder.
The factors of -12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, -1, -2, -3, -4, -6, and -12.
Prime factors of 12: 2 and 3.
Prime factorization of 12: 2² × 3.
The sum of the positive factors of 12: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 6 + 12 = 28.
How to Find Factors of -12?
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 -12. Identifying the numbers which are multiplied to get the number -12 is the multiplication method.
Step 1: Multiply -12 by 1, -12 × 1 = -12.
Step 2: Check for other numbers that give -12 after multiplying:
-1 × 12 = -12
-2 × 6 = -12
-3 × 4 = -12
Therefore, the positive factor pairs of 12 are: (1, 12), (2, 6), (3, 4).
For every positive factor pair, there is a negative counterpart, such as (-1, -12), (-2, -6), (-3, -4).
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Finding Factors Using Division Method
Dividing the given number 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 -12 by 1, -12 ÷ 1 = -12.
Step 2: Continue dividing -12 by the numbers until the remainder becomes 0.
-12 ÷ 1 = -12
-12 ÷ 2 = -6
-12 ÷ 3 = -4
-12 ÷ 4 = -3
-12 ÷ 6 = -2
-12 ÷ 12 = -1
Therefore, the factors of -12 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, -1, -2, -3, -4, -6, -12.
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 a factor tree
Using Prime Factorization: In this process, prime factors of 12 divide the number to break it down in the multiplication form of prime factors till the remainder becomes 1.
12 ÷ 2 = 6
6 ÷ 2 = 3
3 ÷ 3 = 1
The prime factors of 12 are 2 and 3.
The prime factorization of 12 is: 2² × 3.
Factor Tree
The factor tree is the graphical representation of breaking down any number into prime factors. The following steps show
Step 1: Firstly, 12 is divided by 2 to get 6.
Step 2: Now divide 6 by 2 to get 3.
Step 3: 3 is a prime number and cannot be divided further.
So, the prime factorization of 12 is: 2² × 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 12: (1, 12), (2, 6), (3, 4).
Negative factor pairs of -12: (-1, -12), (-2, -6), (-3, -4).
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Factors of -12
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 factors for every whole number. Always remember to include 1 and the number itself.
For example, in factors of -12, 1 and 12 are also factors.
Mistake 2
Missing Negative Factors
We often mention only positive factors. There are also negative factors; always check whether you have mentioned negative factors.
For example, the factors of -12 include -1, -2, -3, etc.
Mistake 3
Including Fractions
Children might sometimes mistakenly add fractions as factors. Only whole numbers can be factors.
For example, thinking 1.5 as a factor, because 12/1.5 = 8, and it is not a whole number.
Mistake 4
Confusing Factors With Prime Numbers
Remember that factors can be any whole numbers, not only just primes.
For example, thinking all the factors of 12 are prime numbers.
For instance, 2 and 3 are the prime factors of 12, but it has other factors like 4, 6.
Mistake 5
Mistake in Factorization
Children might skip the steps in factorization and end up writing wrong factors.
For example, not breaking 12 as 2² × 3 and missing important factors.
Factors of -12 Examples
Problem 1
There are 3 teams and -12 points. If points are to be distributed equally, how many points will each team receive?
Each team will receive -4 points.
Explanation
To distribute the points equally, we need to divide the total points by the number of teams.
-12/3 = -4
Problem 2
A company has a debt of -12 million dollars and wants to pay it off in 6 equal installments. How much will each installment be?
Each installment will be -2 million dollars.
Explanation
To find each installment, divide the total debt by the number of installments.
-12/6 = -2
Problem 3
A group of 4 players has a score of -12. How will the score be distributed among them equally?
Each player will have a score of -3.
Explanation
To distribute the score equally, divide the total score by the number of players.
-12/4 = -3
Problem 4
If a loss of -12 dollars is shared among 2 partners equally, how much does each partner bear?
Each partner bears -6 dollars.
Explanation
Dividing the total loss by the number of partners gives the loss per partner.
-12/2 = -6
Problem 5
A group of 6 hikers shares a debt of -12 dollars. How much debt does each hiker have?
Each hiker has -2 dollars in debt.
Explanation
Divide the total debt by the number of hikers.
-12/6 = -2
FAQs on Factors of -12
1.What are the factors of -12?
2.Mention the prime factors of 12.
3.Is -12 a multiple of 3?
4.Mention the factor pairs of -12?
5.What is the absolute value of -12?
Important Glossaries for Factors of -12
- Factors: The numbers that divide the given number without leaving a remainder are called factors. For example, the factors of -12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, -1, -2, -3, -4, -6, -12.
- Prime factors: The factors which are prime numbers. For example, 2 and 3 are prime factors of 12.
- 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 -12 are (1, 12), (2, 6), etc.
- Negative factors: These are factors with negative values that, when multiplied together, give the original number. For example, -1, -2, -3 are negative factors of -12.
- Prime factorization: Breaking down a number into its prime factors, such as 2² × 3 for 12.
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.
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