Factors & Multiples | Parent Activity

Dear Families,

Your child is learning about factors (numbers that divide evenly into another number) and multiples (skip counting patterns). These concepts are essential for understanding fractions and algebra later on. The activities below make these math ideas fun and practical!

Why This Matters for the FAST Test

The Florida FAST assessment tests whether students can find all factor pairs of numbers up to 100, identify prime and composite numbers, and recognize multiples. Students who understand these relationships deeply (not just memorize) perform best on problem-solving questions.

Key Vocabulary to Use at Home

Factor: A number that divides evenly (no remainder). Example: 4 is a factor of 12.

Factor Pair: Two numbers that multiply to give a product. Example: 3 and 4 are a factor pair of 12.

Multiple: What you get when multiplying by 1, 2, 3... Example: 15 is a multiple of 5.

Prime: Has exactly 2 factors (1 and itself). Examples: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11

Composite: Has more than 2 factors. Examples: 4, 6, 8, 9, 10

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Activity 1: Factor Pair Scavenger Hunt

Find objects and arrange them into rectangles

Gather 24 small objects (coins, buttons, cereal pieces, LEGO bricks).
Challenge: "How many different rectangles can you make using all 24 objects?"
Record each rectangle: 1x24, 2x12, 3x8, 4x6
Each rectangle shows a factor pair! Ask: "So what are all the factors of 24?"
Repeat with different numbers: 18, 30, or 36 objects.

Tip:

Start with 1 row, then 2 rows, then 3 rows... Stop when the rows and columns are the same or close. This systematic approach helps find ALL factor pairs!

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Activity 2: Prime Number Detective

Hunt for prime numbers in everyday life

Pick random numbers you see: house numbers, page numbers, prices, jersey numbers.
For each number, ask: "Is this prime or composite?"
To check: Try dividing by 2, 3, 5, 7. If none work evenly, it's likely prime!
Keep a tally: How many prime numbers can you find in one day?
Bonus: The first 10 primes are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29

Remember:

1 is NOT prime (it only has one factor, not two). 2 is the ONLY even prime number. All other even numbers are composite because they have 2 as a factor.

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Activity 3: Multiple Clap Game

Practice multiples through a fun counting game

Pick a number (start with 3, 4, or 5).
Take turns counting: 1, 2, CLAP (for 3), 4, 5, CLAP (for 6), 7, 8, CLAP (for 9)...
Every time you reach a multiple of the chosen number, clap instead of saying it!
If someone says a multiple instead of clapping, they're out!
Challenge: Try clapping for multiples of TWO numbers (like 3 AND 4)!

Tip:

This game helps children recognize multiples quickly - an important skill for division and fractions. Start slow and speed up as they get better!

Questions to Ask Your Child

"What are all the factor pairs of 20?"
"Is 37 prime or composite? How can you check?"
"What's the next multiple of 7 after 35?"
"If 6 is a factor of 42, what does that tell us about 42?"
"Why isn't 1 considered a prime number?"
"What's the difference between a factor and a multiple?"

Resumen en Espanol

Factores y multiplos: Su hijo esta aprendiendo sobre los numeros que dividen exactamente (factores) y los patrones de conteo de saltos (multiplos). Estos conceptos son fundamentales para fracciones y algebra.

Vocabulario clave:

Factor: Numero que divide exactamente. (4 es factor de 12)
Multiplo: Resultado de multiplicar por 1, 2, 3... (15 es multiplo de 5)
Primo: Tiene exactamente 2 factores. (2, 3, 5, 7, 11)
Compuesto: Tiene mas de 2 factores. (4, 6, 8, 9)

Actividades: Hagan rectangulos con objetos para encontrar pares de factores. Busquen numeros primos en la vida diaria. Jueguen al juego de palmadas con multiplos.

Home Activity: Factors & Multiples