Online Mathematics Tuition | Form 1 Chapter 2

Mathematics, Form 1, Chapter 2 looks at the following areas
1) Factors
2) Prime Factors
3) Common Factors
4) Highest Common Factor (HCF)
5) Multiples
6) Common Multiples
7) Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)

We shall look into some of the areas in detail in this article.

Firstly Factors. A factor is a number which divides into another number exactly leaving no remainders.

Let us take a look at the number 10. This number can be divided by 1, 2, 5 and 10 without leaving any remainder. Therefore 1, 2, 5 and 10 are all factors of 10.

Let us take a look at another number, this time 20, This number can be divided by 1, 2, 4, 5, 10 and 20 without leaving any remainder. Therefore 1, 2, 4, 5, 10 and 20 are all factors of 20.

Next we look at Prime Factors. Prime factors of a whole number are factors which are prime numbers.

Prime numbers are numbers that can only be divided by itself and 1. Take the example of 7. 7 can only be divided by 1 and 7 without leaving any remainders. 1 and 7 are then the prime factors of 7.

Now, let us take a look at the number 12. This number can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12. However only 2 and 3 are prime numbers. Therefore in this case, only 2 and 3 are prime factors of 12.

Let us take a look at another number, 40. This number can be divided by 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20 and 40. However from these factors, only 2 and 5 are Prime Factors.

We shall now look at the term Common Factors. A number which is a factor of two or more numbers is called a common factor of those numbers.

Let us take a look at the number 12 and 18.

The factors of 12 are 1, 2 ,3 ,4 ,6 and 12.
The factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 18.

From the above we can see that 1, 2, 3 and 6 are the common factors of 12 and 18.

What about the Highest Common Factor? From the above we know that 1, 2, 3 and 6 are the common factors of 12 and 18. The highest of the common factor is 6. We call 6 the Highest Common Factor of the numbers 12 and 18.

The above are require extensive practice for students to easily identify Factors, Prime Factors, Common Factors and Highest Common Factors. At Just-Math, we provide extensive practice assignment given on a daily basis to students via WhatsApp. These assignments are sent to students’ WhatsApp number. The student prints out these assignment and work on them. Once completed they takes snapshots of the assignments and return to me for marking. The marked assignments together with valuable remarks are given to help students learn effectively. If you are interested in the program, WhatsApp me at 019-4728768 or visit my website at

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