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Factors and multiples

Factors and multiples for A Level Food Preparation Edexcel: what it means, how to set the working out, and the questions it is asked in.
  • A Level
  • Edexcel
  • Food Preparation
  • Spec R14
  • 11 min read
  • 8 revision boxes

Introduction

2 boxes
1 min read

What is factors and multiples?

Listen to this box

Transcript

A short spoken summary of factors and multiples and where it is used.

A spoken walk-through of factors and multiples before you read the notes.
Check the answer against an estimate before you move on, so a place-value slip is caught here.
5 rows

The factors and multiples reference table

Work through the method one line at a time and write down what changes at each step.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing factors and multiples laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Term
Meaning
Example
Row 1 column 1
Row 1 column 2
49=7\sqrt{49} = 7
Row 2 column 1
Row 2 column 2
49=7\sqrt{49} = 7
Row 3 column 1
Row 3 column 2
a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Row 4 column 1
Row 4 column 2
x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

Learning

4 boxes
3 steps

How to work with factors and multiples

The specification wording is precise here, and the mark scheme follows that wording exactly.
Worth knowing: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for factors and multiples in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
  4. Check the answer against an estimate before writing it down.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7.
Answer: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7
3 rules

Key facts: Factors and multiples

Read the units in the question before you start; a converted unit is the most common slip.

  • Rule 1

    How factors and multiples behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left

  • Rule 2

    How factors and multiples behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}
3 steps

How to work with factors and multiples

Check the answer against an estimate before you move on, so a place-value slip is caught here.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing factors and multiples laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for factors and multiples in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
  4. Check the answer against an estimate before writing it down.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0.
Answer: ≈160\approx 160
2 rules

Key facts: Factors and multiples

Work through the method one line at a time and write down what changes at each step.

  • Rule 1

    How factors and multiples behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

  • Rule 2

    How factors and multiples behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    49=7\sqrt{49} = 7

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Examples

2 boxes
4 marks · worked

Worked example: factors and multiples

Practise the routine version until it is automatic, then move to the multi-step questions.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing factors and multiples laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}.
3 marks · worked

Practice question 8: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}

Read the units in the question before you start; a converted unit is the most common slip.

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Common questions

How many marks is factors and multiples usually worth?
Between one and four, depending on how many steps the question asks for.
Is this on the A Level Food Preparation Edexcel paper?
Yes — it sits in the Algebra strand.