Factors of 56
Every whole number that divides 56 exactly, the factor pairs, and how to find them yourself.
The answer
The factors of 56 are 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 28 and 56.
Factor pairs of 56
| Pair | Makes |
|---|---|
| 1 × 56 | 56 |
| 2 × 28 | 56 |
| 4 × 14 | 56 |
| 7 × 8 | 56 |
Prime factors of 56
- Prime factorisation
- 56 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 7 (2³ × 7)
- Is 56 prime?
- No. It has 8 factors, not just 1 and 56.
- Is 56 a square number?
- No. 7 × 7 = 49 and 8 × 8 = 64, so 56 falls between two square numbers.
How to find the factors of 56
56 is even, so 2 is sure to be a factor. Work up from 1 to 7, and write down both numbers in every pair you find.
- 56 ÷ 1 = 56, so 1 × 56 is a pair.
- 56 ÷ 2 = 28, so 2 × 28 is a pair.
- 3 does not go into 56 exactly.
- 56 ÷ 4 = 14, so 4 × 14 is a pair.
- 5 does not go into 56 exactly.
- 6 does not go into 56 exactly.
- 56 ÷ 7 = 8, so 7 × 8 is a pair.
Stop at 8: 8 × 8 = 64, which is more than 56. The next pair you would find is 8 × 7, which is 7 × 8 turned round, so you already have every pair.
56 in the times tables
4 × 14 = 56 and 7 × 8 = 56. Practise the 7 times table, 8 times table and 14 times table.
More numbers
Check whether 56 is prime.
Questions parents ask
What is the largest factor of 56, apart from 56 itself?
28. Divide 56 by its smallest factor above 1, which is 2: 56 ÷ 2 = 28.
What do the factors of 56 add up to?
120. Leaving out 56 itself, they add up to 64, which is more than 56, so 56 is called an abundant number.
Which number after 56 has the same number of factors?
66. Like 56, it has exactly 8 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.