Factor Calculator

Find all factors of any positive integer. Enter a number to see its complete list of factors, factor pairs, prime factorization, and detailed mathematical analysis.

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Methods to Find Factors

1. Division Method

Test each number from 1 to the square root of the given number. If it divides evenly, both the divisor and quotient are factors.

Example: Finding factors of 12
√12 ≈ 3.46, so test 1, 2, 3
12 ÷ 1 = 12 → factors: 1, 12
12 ÷ 2 = 6 → factors: 2, 6
12 ÷ 3 = 4 → factors: 3, 4
All factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

2. Prime Factorization Method

Find the prime factorization, then generate all possible combinations of prime factors.

Example: Finding factors of 12
12 = 2² × 3¹
Factors: 2⁰×3⁰=1, 2¹×3⁰=2, 2²×3⁰=4
2⁰×3¹=3, 2¹×3¹=6, 2²×3¹=12
All factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

3. Factor Tree Method

Break down the number into smaller factors repeatedly until only prime factors remain.

Example: Factor tree for 12
12
/ \
4 3
/ \
2 2
Prime factorization: 2² × 3

How to Use This Calculator

1
Enter a Number
Input any positive integer. The calculator works best with numbers up to 1,000,000.
2
View Results
See all factors, factor pairs, prime factorization, and number properties instantly.
3
Study the Process
Review the step-by-step factorization to understand how factors are found.
4
Try Examples
Use the quick example buttons to explore factorization of different numbers.

Understanding Factors

What are Factors?

A factor of a number is any integer that divides the number evenly (with no remainder). For example, the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 because each of these numbers divides 12 without leaving a remainder.

Types of Factors

Proper Divisors

All factors of a number except the number itself. For 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6.

Prime Factors

Factors that are prime numbers. For 12: 2 and 3.

Composite Factors

Factors that are composite numbers. For 12: 4, 6, and 12.

Factor Pairs

Two factors that multiply to give the original number. For 12: (1,12), (2,6), (3,4).

Special Numbers

Prime Numbers

Numbers with exactly two factors: 1 and themselves. Examples: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11.

Perfect Numbers

Numbers equal to the sum of their proper divisors. Example: 6 = 1 + 2 + 3.

Perfect Squares

Numbers with an odd number of factors. Examples: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25.

Highly Composite

Numbers with more factors than any smaller positive integer. Examples: 1, 2, 4, 6, 12.

Example Calculations

Example 1: Small Number (12)

Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Factor pairs: (1×12), (2×6), (3×4)
Prime factorization: 2² × 3
Sum of factors: 1+2+3+4+6+12 = 28
Number of factors: 6

Example 2: Perfect Square (36)

Factors of 36: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
Factor pairs: (1×36), (2×18), (3×12), (4×9), (6×6)
Prime factorization: 2² × 3²
Sum of factors: 1+2+3+4+6+9+12+18+36 = 91
Number of factors: 9 (odd, because it's a perfect square)

Example 3: Prime Number (17)

Factors of 17: 1, 17
Factor pairs: (1×17)
Prime factorization: 17 (prime number)
Sum of factors: 1+17 = 18
Number of factors: 2 (characteristic of prime numbers)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between factors and multiples?

Factors divide into a number evenly, while multiples are the result of multiplying a number by integers. For example, factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, while multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48, etc.

Why do perfect squares have an odd number of factors?

Most factors come in pairs that multiply to give the original number. However, perfect squares have one factor (the square root) that pairs with itself, resulting in an odd total count.

How can I quickly check if a number is prime?

A number is prime if it has exactly two factors: 1 and itself. You only need to test divisibility up to the square root of the number. If no factors are found in that range, the number is prime.