Max Maths, Year 5, Try it Finding factors of 2-digit numbers

In an engaging exercise from Max Maths for Year 5, students are encouraged to explore the concept of factors through a hands-on activity. They are tasked with finding all the factors of the number 9. To help visualise this, they must represent the number 9 on a grid in as many ways as possible. This visual method aids in understanding that factors are numbers that, when multiplied together, result in the target number—in this case, 9. The activity starts with two examples where students fill in the blanks to show the factor pairs of 9, which are numbers that can be multiplied together to equal 9.

After grasping the concept with the number 9, students are given a series of two-digit numbers to further practice their skills. They are asked to list all the factors for each of the given numbers, ranging from single-digit numbers like 3 to more complex two-digit numbers such as 58 and 60. This exercise not only reinforces their understanding of factors but also provides them with the opportunity to practise their multiplication skills and to recognise patterns in numbers. The activity is designed to be both a learning tool and a way to assess students' ability to identify factors of two-digit numbers.