Discuss the definition of the word factor.

Remind pupils that factors always go in pairs (in the example of rectangular arrangements these are given by the
length and the width of the rectangle). The pairs multiply together to give the number.
Ask pupils if numbers always have an even number of factors. They may argue that they will because factors can
always be written in pairs. Establish, however, that when a number is multiplied by itself the numbers in that factor pair
are repeated. That number will therefore have an odd number of factors.
Pupils may investigate this individually.
Establish that if a number has an odd number of factors it must be a square number.

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Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum
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Discuss the definition of the word factor.
Remind pupils that factors always go in pairs (in the example of rectangular arrangements these are given by the
length and the width of the rectangle). The pairs multiply together to give the number.
Ask pupils if numbers always have an even number of factors. They may argue that they will because factors can
always be written in pairs. Establish, however, that when a number is multiplied by itself the numbers in that factor pair
are repeated. That number will therefore have an odd number of factors.
Pupils may investigate this individually.
Establish that if a number has an odd number of factors it must be a square number.

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Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum
of 35 2
 05/14/21

Ask for the factors of 30 before revealing them.

Then ask which of these factors are prime numbers.

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Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum
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 05/14/21

Explain that to write 36 as a product or prime factors we start by writing 36

at the top (of the tree).
Next, we need to think of two numbers which multiply together to give 36.
Ask pupils to give examples.
Explain that it doesn’t matter whether we use 2 × 18, 3 × 12, 4 × 9, or 6 ×
6: the end result will be the same.
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Let’s use 4 × 9 this time.
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Next, we must find two numbers that multiply together to make 4.
 05/14/21

Explain verbally that another method to find the prime factor

decomposition is to divide repeatedly by prime factors putting the answers
in a table as follows:
To find the prime factor decomposition of 96 start by writing 96.
Click to reveal 96.
Now, what is the lowest prime number that divides into 96?
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Establish that this is 2. Remind
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pupils of tests for divisibility if necessary. of 35 5
Any number ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 is divisible by 2.
Write the 2 to the left of the 96 and then divide 96 by 2.