Fourth Grade · Math · week 6

Factors and multiples

Find all the factor pairs of a whole number and generate multiples of a given number.

A factor is a whole number that divides evenly into another number, with nothing left over. A multiple is what you get when you multiply a number by 1, 2, 3, and so on. Factors point inward, toward the numbers that build a total; multiples point outward, toward that number times table.

Every number has a limited list of factors, but an endless list of multiples. Finding factor pairs and skip counting for multiples are two sides of the very same multiplication fact.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Build rectangles with blocks or grid paper; any whole-number side length that forms a complete rectangle is a factor.
  • Use skip counting to generate multiples endlessly, connecting straight back to the times tables.
  • Test factor pairs in order (1, 2, 3, ...) so none get missed, stopping once the pairs start repeating.
  • Keep saying the words "factor" and "multiple" out loud in context until the difference feels automatic.
Talk about it:
  • How are factors and multiples opposite ideas?
  • How do you know when you have found ALL the factors of a number?
  • Why does a number have endless multiples but only a limited number of factors?

Mastery looks like: They find all factor pairs of numbers up to 100 and list multiples of a given number fluently.

Common stumbles: Confusing factors with multiples; stopping the factor search too early and missing a pair.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

MultiplicationEqual groups and arrays make products finally click.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Math for this learner.
← Back to todayAll coursesYear planner