Factors of 2
Every whole number that divides 2 exactly, the factor pairs, and how to find them yourself.
The answer
The factors of 2 are 1 and 2. 2 is a prime number.
Factor pairs of 2
| Pair | Makes |
|---|---|
| 1 × 2 | 2 |
Prime factors of 2
- Prime factorisation
- 2 = 2
- Is 2 prime?
- Yes. It is the 1st prime number.
- Is 2 a square number?
- No. 1 × 1 = 1 and 2 × 2 = 4, so 2 falls between two square numbers.
How to find the factors of 2
2 is prime, so the only pair you will find is 1 × 2. Only 1 needs trying, because 2 × 2 = 4 is already more than 2.
- 2 ÷ 1 = 2, so 1 × 2 is a pair.
Stop at 2: 2 × 2 = 4, which is more than 2. The next pair you would find is 2 × 1, which is 1 × 2 turned round, so you already have every pair.
More numbers
Check whether 2 is prime.
Questions parents ask
What is the largest factor of 2, apart from 2 itself?
1. 2 is prime, so apart from 2 itself its only factor is 1.
What do the factors of 2 add up to?
3. Leaving out 2 itself, they add up to 1, which is less than 2, so 2 is called a deficient number.
Which number after 2 has the same number of factors?
3. Like 2, it has exactly 2 factors.
Number facts are the base of 11+ maths
Factors, multiples, primes and square numbers come up all over 11+ maths, from simplifying fractions to ratio. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.