What are Factors? First, let's understand what factors are. Factors are numbers that you can multiply together to get another number. Example: - For the number 12, the factors are: - 1 times 12 = 12 - 2 times 6 = 12 - 3 times 4 = 12 - So, the factors of 12 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. What are Common Factors? Common factors are factors that two or more numbers have in common. This means they are factors of both numbers. Example: Let's find the common factors of 12 and 16. Step 1: List the Factors - Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 - Factors of 16: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 Step 2: Find the Common Factors - Look for the numbers that are in both lists. - The common factors of 12 and 16 are: 1, 2, and 4. Visualizing Common Factors Using a Venn Diagram 1. Draw Two Circles: - One circle for the factors of 12 and another for the factors of 16. Make sure the circles overlap in the middle. 2. List the Factors: - Write the factors of 12 in the first circle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. - Write the factors of 16 in the second circle: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16. 3. Find the Overlap: - Write the common factors (1, 2, 4) in the overlapping part of the circles. ``` (12) (16) 1 2 3 4 6 12 | 1 2 4 8 16 1 2 4 ``` Practice with Another Example Find the Common Factors of 18 and 24 - Step 1: List the Factors - - Factors of 18: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18 - Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 - Step 2: Find the Common Factors - - The common factors of 18 and 24 are: 1, 2, 3, and 6. Fun Practice Activities 1. Factor Puzzles: Give children pairs of numbers and ask them to find the common factors. 2. Games: Play games where children must list factors and find common factors. 3. Worksheets: Provide worksheets with exercises on finding common factors. Summary - Factors: Numbers you can multiply together to get another number. - Common Factors: Factors that two or more numbers have in common. - Steps to Find Common Factors: 1. List the factors of each number. 2. Find the numbers that appear in both lists. By using these steps and practicing with fun activities, children can easily understand and find common factors.