Factors of 6

Definition of factors of 6: If a number completely divides 6 without a remainder, then that number is called a factor of 6.

By the above definition, we can say that the factors of 6 are the divisors of 6. In this section, we will learn about the factors of 6 and the prime factors of 6.

Also Read: Basic concepts of the factors of a number

Highlights of Factors of 6

• 6=2×3 is the prime factorization of 6.
• The factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.
• Prime factors of 6 are 2 and 3.
• Negative factors of 6 are –1, -2, -3, and –6.

What are the Factors of 6?

Let us write the number 6 multiplicatively in all possible ways. We have:

6 = 1×6 

6 = 2×3

As we can express 6 multiplicatively in no other ways, so we will stop right now. So the factors of 6 in pairs are given as follows:

6 = a×b	Factors in Pairs (a,b)
6 = 1×6	(1, 6)
6 = 2×3	(2, 3)

Thus the pair factors of 6 are (1, 6) and (2, 3). As all the numbers appearing in pair factors are the factors of 6, we conclude that

The factors of 6 are: 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Number of factors of 6

From above we have calculated the factors of 6 which are 1, 2, 3, and 6. Thus the total number of factors of 6 is four.

Prime Factors of 6

Note that the factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6. Among those factors, we observe that only 2 and 3 are prime numbers as they do not have any proper divisors.

∴ the prime factors of 6 are 2 and 3.

Question: What are the factors of 6?

Video Solution:

How to find factors of 6?

Now we will determine the factors of 6 by division method. In this method, we will find the numbers that can divide 6 with no remainder. See that

6/1=6 and the remainder is 0.

∴ 1 and 6 are factors of 6.

6/2=3 and the remainder is 0.

∴ 2 and 3 are factors of 6.

Note that no numbers other than the numbers in violet color can divide 6. So the numbers in violet color, that is, 1, 2, 3, and 6 are the complete list of factors of 6.