Level 3-4 Algebra - Multiples

Factors are an important part of KS3 Maths but so are multiples. So what's the difference. Well, factors and multiples are similar yet opposite. Whereas factors are numbers which another number can be divided into, multiples are the numbers you get after multiplying a number.

If a number appears in a times table, then the number of the times table is a factor of that number. Conversely, all of the numbers in a times table are multiples of that number. Here's an example. The number 8 appears in the 1, 2, 4 and 8 times tables and so 1, 2, 4 and 8 are factors of 8. It follows that 8 is a multiple of 1, 2, 4, and 8. Easy eh?

In the field of algebra, you may well be asked to find 'common multiples'. These are numbers which are multiples of two or more numbers. Things can get a little more complicated but plenty of practise will make you an expert on multiples.

Have a go at this quiz and you will soon understand. Good luck!