What are factors in mathematics?

Factors in mathematics are the whole numbers that can be multiplied together to obtain another number. For example, if you take the number 12, it can be expressed as the product of the pairs of whole numbers 3 and 4 (since 3 × 4 = 12) or 2 and 6 (since 2 × 6 = 12). Consequently, the factors of 12 include 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 itself, which are all the whole numbers that can be multiplied to yield 12. This definition captures the essence of factors in multiplication, emphasizing the idea that they must be whole numbers that combine through multiplication to generate a specific total.

Understanding this concept is essential in various areas of mathematics, including number theory, algebra, and more complex mathematical applications, as identifying factors is a foundational skill in solving equations or simplifying expressions.