How to Factor Out Numbers
- Determine a common factor. A common factor is 2.
- Divide each term by the common factor and write the results of the division in parentheses, with the factor out in front.
- Determine whether you can factor out any other terms. The terms left in the parentheses are still too large.
- Simplify the answer.
What does it mean to factor a number?
Math Term Definition. Factor. To factor a number means to break it up into numbers that can be multiplied together to get the original number. EXAMPLES: 6 = 3 x 2 so, factors of 6 are 3 and 2 9 = 3 x 3 so, factors of 9 are 3 and 3 Sometimes, numbers can be factored into different combinations.