How to Find Factor pairs using the calculator

Factorising is hard sometimes

– particularly if you cant remember the factor pairs for a certain number. Here is a trick to help you.

1. First put the calculator in Table mode by pressing 
2. Then press the  button. At the top of the fraction put the number you are trying to factorise in. Next press the  key to highlight the box at the bottom. Now press  to get an . Then press .
3. Now you should see a screen that says X_start and X_step. Press  to leave the start at zero (if your X_start has another value first press  and then ).
4. For your X_step value press  and then.

Now you should see all the factor pairs that make up your chosen number.
For Example: If you put 12 at the top of your fraction your table should look like this:

Press the to continue looking at your factor pairs.

Remember that anything divided by 0 is undefined (0 cannot be a factor of any number) and that is why there is a stripey line in the ANS column next to the 0.