If we want to find FACTORS of 8, we have to find the numbers that give a whole number answer when we DIVIDE 8 by them:

8÷ 1 =8 8÷ 2 =4 8÷ 4 =2 8÷ 8 =1

So 1, 2, 4 and 8 are the only factors of 8, as dividing by any other number would result in an answer that’s a whole number.

Factors always come in pairs.

8÷ 2 = 4 and 8÷ 4 = 2

We can see the same numbers (4 and 2) in each calculation, so when we divide by the number 4 and get a whole number answer of 2, both 4 and 2 are factors and form a factor pair.

Factor bugs and factor pairs are a great way to find all factors of a number.

Divisibility rules can quickly identify some smaller factors of a number.

E.g. If a number is even it is divisible by 2 which means that it has a factor of 2.

Download a factors reference sheet

Play Bug battles! or Superbug smash! to practice finding factors