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Factors of 5

Every whole number that divides 5 exactly, the factor pairs, and how to find them yourself.

The answer

The factors of 5 are 1 and 5. 5 is a prime number.

Factor pairs of 5

PairMakes
1 × 55

Prime factors of 5

Prime factorisation
5 = 5
Is 5 prime?
Yes. It is the 3rd prime number.
Is 5 a square number?
No. 2 × 2 = 4 and 3 × 3 = 9, so 5 falls between two square numbers.

How to find the factors of 5

5 is prime, so the only pair you will find is 1 × 5. Work up from 1 to 2, and write down both numbers in every pair you find.

  1. 5 ÷ 1 = 5, so 1 × 5 is a pair.
  2. 2 does not go into 5 exactly.

Stop at 3: 3 × 3 = 9, which is more than 5. The next pair you would find is 5 × 1, which is 1 × 5 turned round, so you already have every pair.

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Questions parents ask

What is the largest factor of 5, apart from 5 itself?

1. 5 is prime, so apart from 5 itself its only factor is 1.

What do the factors of 5 add up to?

6. Leaving out 5 itself, they add up to 1, which is less than 5, so 5 is called a deficient number.

Which number after 5 has the same number of factors?

7. Like 5, 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.