Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies
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Even though multiples tend to be larger numbers than factors, most students find them easier to work with. Finding all the factors is possible because factors of a number are always less than or equal to the number itself. So no matter how large a number is, it always has a finite (limited) number of factors.

Unlike factors, multiples of a number are greater than or equal to the number itself. (The only exception to this is 0, which is a multiple of every number.) Because of this, the multiples of a number go on forever β€” that is, they're infinite. Nevertheless, generating a partial list of multiples for any number is simple.

To list multiples of any number, write down that number and then multiply it by 2, 3, 4, and so forth.

For example, here are the first few positive multiples of 7:

7 14 21 28 35 42

As you can see, this list of multiples is simply part of the multiplication table for the number 7.

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Mark Zegarelli is a professional writer with degrees in both English and Math from Rutgers University. He has earned his living for many years writing vast quantities of logic puzzles, a hefty chunk of software documentation, and the occasional book or film review. Along the way, he’s also paid a few bills doing housecleaning, decorative painting, and (for ten hours) retail sales. He likes writing best, though.

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