The note
How schools teach it now
Children find factors in pairs (1 × 36, 2 × 18, 3 × 12, 4 × 9, 6 × 6), stopping when the pairs meet. Multiples are the numbers in a times table. Year 6 adds common factors and common multiples.
5-minute kitchen-table activity
Count out 24 pieces of dried pasta. How many different neat rectangles (rows × columns) can your child make? Each rectangle is a factor pair: 1 × 24, 2 × 12, 3 × 8 and 4 × 6.
Worked example
What is the lowest common multiple of 6 and 8?
- Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30…
- Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32…
- The first number in both lists is 24.
Answer: 24
Common mistakes to watch for
- Multiplying the two numbers (48) instead of finding the lowest common multiple.
- Missing a factor pair, often 1 and the number itself.
- Mixing up the words factor and multiple.
Encouragement
- Try saying
- “Let's find them in pairs so none can escape.”
- Rather than
- “You've missed some again.”