097r. Factors, Multiples and Powers

Learning Intentions

  • To understand that a prime number has exactly two factors and a composite number has more than two factors
  • To know the meaning of the terms square, square root, cube and cube root
  • Solve the lowest common multiple and highest common factor of two numbers
  • find the square, square root, cube and cube root of certain small whole numbers

Pre-requisite Summary

  • Know that a factor divides a number exactly with no remainder. See 010r. Factors and Multiples
  • Know that a multiple is found by multiplying a number by whole numbers
  • Be able to list the factors of small whole numbers
  • Be able to list the multiples of small whole numbers
  • Understand that repeated multiplication can be written more efficiently
  • Recall multiplication facts up to at least
  • Know that some numbers can be arranged into equal rows and columns
  • Be familiar with Use arrays or factor pairs to represent multiplication

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Decide whether each number is prime or composite:

a)

b)

c)

Worked Example 2

Write the meaning of each term and Evaluate where possible:

a)

b)

c)

Worked Example 3

Find the highest common factor of:

a) and

b) and

Worked Example 4

Find the lowest common multiple of:

a) and

b) and

Worked Example 5

Find each value:

a)

b)

c)

Worked Example 6

Find each value:

a)

b)

c)

Problems

Problem 1

Decide whether each number is prime or composite:

a)

b)

c)

Problem 2

Write the meaning of each term and evaluate where possible:

a)

b)

c)

Problem 3

Find the highest common factor of:

a) and

b) and

Problem 4

Find the lowest common multiple of:

a) and

b) and

Problem 5

Find each value:

a)

b)

c)

Problem 6

Find each value:

a)

b)

c)

Exercises

Understanding and Fluency

Exercise 1.

Decide whether each number is prime or composite:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Exercise 2.

List all the factors of each number, then decide whether it is prime or composite:

a)

b)

c)

Exercise 3.

Find the highest common factor of each pair of numbers:

a) and

b) and

c) and

Exercise 4.

Find the lowest common multiple of each pair of numbers:

a) and

b) and

c) and

Exercise 5.

Find each square or square root:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Exercise 6.

Find each cube or cube root:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Exercise 7.

Complete the table:

a) square of

b) square root of

c) cube of

d) cube root of

Exercise 8.

Find both the HCF and the LCM of each pair:

a) and

b) and

c) and

Reasoning

Exercise 9.

Explain why is a prime number but is not.

Exercise 10.

Sofia says that is prime because it is odd. Explain why this is incorrect.

Exercise 11.

Which is greater, the HCF or the LCM of and ? Explain using factors and multiples.

Exercise 12.

Explain why but .

Exercise 13.

A student says that because . Describe the mistake.

Problem-solving

Exercise 14.

Two lights flash every seconds and every seconds. After how many seconds will they flash together again?

Exercise 15.

Two classes are making equal groups for a sports activity. One class has students and the other has students. What is the greatest number of students that can be in each group if both classes must have the same group size?

Exercise 16.

A square garden has side length m. What is the area of the garden?

Exercise 17.

A cube-shaped box has side length cm. What is its volume?

Exercise 18.

Two buses leave a station every minutes and every minutes. If they leave together now, when will they next leave together?

Exercise 19.

A number is composite, has a square root that is a whole number, and is less than . List all possible numbers.

Potential Misunderstandings

  • Students may think a prime number is any odd number
  • Students may think is prime because it has only one factor
  • Students may forget that a prime number must have exactly two factors, not fewer and not more
  • Students may confuse factors with multiples
  • Students may think the highest common factor is always the larger of the two numbers
  • Students may think the lowest common multiple must be one of the original numbers
  • Students may confuse square with doubling
  • Students may think means instead of
  • Students may confuse square root with dividing by
  • Students may confuse cube with multiplying by
  • Students may think cube root means divide by
  • Students may mix up the notation and
  • Students may not Recognise that square roots and cube roots here are only whole numbers for certain values

Next: 098. Prime Factors and Divisibility Tests