Factors of 3
Every whole number that divides 3 exactly, the factor pairs, and how to find them yourself.
The answer
The factors of 3 are 1 and 3. 3 is a prime number.
Factor pairs of 3
| Pair | Makes |
|---|---|
| 1 × 3 | 3 |
Prime factors of 3
- Prime factorisation
- 3 = 3
- Is 3 prime?
- Yes. It is the 2nd prime number.
- Is 3 a square number?
- No. 1 × 1 = 1 and 2 × 2 = 4, so 3 falls between two square numbers.
How to find the factors of 3
3 is prime, so the only pair you will find is 1 × 3. Only 1 needs trying, because 2 × 2 = 4 is already more than 3.
- 3 ÷ 1 = 3, so 1 × 3 is a pair.
Stop at 2: 2 × 2 = 4, which is more than 3. The next pair you would find is 3 × 1, which is 1 × 3 turned round, so you already have every pair.
More numbers
Check whether 3 is prime.
Questions parents ask
What is the largest factor of 3, apart from 3 itself?
1. 3 is prime, so apart from 3 itself its only factor is 1.
What do the factors of 3 add up to?
4. Leaving out 3 itself, they add up to 1, which is less than 3, so 3 is called a deficient number.
Which number after 3 has the same number of factors?
5. Like 3, 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.