Factors of 48
Every whole number that divides 48 exactly, the factor pairs, and how to find them yourself.
The answer
The factors of 48 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48.
Factor pairs of 48
| Pair | Makes |
|---|---|
| 1 × 48 | 48 |
| 2 × 24 | 48 |
| 3 × 16 | 48 |
| 4 × 12 | 48 |
| 6 × 8 | 48 |
Prime factors of 48
- Prime factorisation
- 48 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 (2⁴ × 3)
- Is 48 prime?
- No. It has 10 factors, not just 1 and 48.
- Is 48 a square number?
- No. 6 × 6 = 36 and 7 × 7 = 49, so 48 falls between two square numbers.
How to find the factors of 48
48 is even, so 2 is sure to be a factor. Its digits add up to 12, a multiple of 3, so 3 is a factor. Work up from 1 to 6, and write down both numbers in every pair you find.
- 48 ÷ 1 = 48, so 1 × 48 is a pair.
- 48 ÷ 2 = 24, so 2 × 24 is a pair.
- 48 ÷ 3 = 16, so 3 × 16 is a pair.
- 48 ÷ 4 = 12, so 4 × 12 is a pair.
- 5 does not go into 48 exactly.
- 48 ÷ 6 = 8, so 6 × 8 is a pair.
Stop at 7: 7 × 7 = 49, which is more than 48. The next pair you would find is 8 × 6, which is 6 × 8 turned round, so you already have every pair.
48 in the times tables
3 × 16 = 48, 4 × 12 = 48 and 6 × 8 = 48. Practise the 4 times table, 6 times table, 8 times table, 12 times table and 16 times table.
More numbers
Check whether 48 is prime.
Questions parents ask
What is the largest factor of 48, apart from 48 itself?
24. Divide 48 by its smallest factor above 1, which is 2: 48 ÷ 2 = 24.
What do the factors of 48 add up to?
124. Leaving out 48 itself, they add up to 76, which is more than 48, so 48 is called an abundant number.
Which number after 48 has the same number of factors?
80. Like 48, it has exactly 10 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.