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      Explain what a factor is and use arrays and multiplication and division facts to find them

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain what a factor is and find factors using arrays and known multiplication and division facts.

      Key learning points

      1. A factor is a whole number which can be multiplied by another whole number to equal a given number or product.

      Keywords

      • Row - Objects lying side by side in a horizontal line is known as a row.

      • Column - A column is an arrangement of objects one above the other in a vertical line.

      • Array - An array is when items are arranged in rows and/or columns.

      • Factor - Factors are whole numbers which exactly divide another whole number.

      • Product - The product is the result of two numbers (factors) multiplied together.

      Common misconception

      Pupils try to represent numbers as an array with an unequal amount in rows and columns.

      Ensure pupils are given time to explore representing numbers as arrays and identifying where the numbers in a multiplication equation come from within their array.

      Teacher tip

      Use square tiles with pupils representing numbers as arrays as this will help pupils to make complete rectangles which will help connect their understanding of factorising algebraic equations in their later education.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What multiplication fact does this array represent?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: 4 × 8 = 32
      2 × 16 = 32
      Correct answer: 8 × 4 = 32
      4 × 32 = 8

      Q2.
      What are the factors shown by this array?

      An image in a quiz
      9 and 54
      6 and 54
      Correct answer: 9 and 6

      Q3.
      How many groups of 7 counters can be made from 56 counters?

      Correct Answer: 8

      Q4.
      Which of these have a product of 30?

      20 + 10 =
      Correct answer: 10 × 3 =
      Correct answer: 1 × 30 =
      100 - 70 =

      Q5.
      Match the expressions to the correct product.

      Correct Answer:4 × 11,44
      Correct Answer:9 × 8,72
      Correct Answer:4 × 6,24
      Correct Answer:3 × 7,21

      Q6.
      What is the area of this rectangle? cm$$^2$$

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 96, 96 cm

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the value of the row in this array?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 3

      Q2.
      What multiplication does this array represent?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: 6 × 7 = 42
      7 × 7 = 42
      Correct answer: 7 × 6 = 42
      42 × 7 = 6

      Q3.
      Look at the array. Match the values to the correct word.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:11,factor
      Correct Answer:3,factor
      Correct Answer:33,product

      Q4.
      Which of these are correct arrays for 16?

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q5.
      Look at this array. Which division equation is correctly represented?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: 108 ÷ 8 = 12
      8 ÷ 12 = 108
      Correct answer: 108 ÷ 12 = 8
      12 ÷ 8 = 108

      Q6.
      Which of these are factors of 54?

      Correct answer: 1
      Correct answer: 2
      5
      Correct answer: 6
      10

      To help you plan your 5 maths lesson on: Explain what a factor is and use arrays and multiplication and division facts to find them, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...