What does the word factor mean in terms of math?

Answer 1

A factor is a number such that it evenly divides a number.

Example:

Algebra: Let's say that we have a number, X. A factor of X would be a number (let's call this number f) such that it would divide X evenly without leaving a remainder. So,

you can write X/f = n (where n is an integer)

Arithmetic: Let's say that we have a number 9. A factor of 9 would be a number such that it would divide 9 evenly without leaving a remainder. By this definition, a factor of 9 would be 3 because 9/3 = 3<-- notice that this answer, 3, is an integer. Also, notice that this division does not leave behind any remainder.

An example of a number that is NOT a factor of another number:

Let's say that we have a number 9. A non-factor of 9 would be 6 because 9/6 does not leave behind a nice, whole number.