Factors: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this when discussing numbers that can be multiplied together to get another number. Typically used in mathematical contexts, such as education, engineering, or scientific research.

• The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
• We need to find the factors of this equation.

This word is used when referring to numbers that divide another number entirely, without leaving a remainder. This term is often used in mathematics, especially when discussing division and fractions.

• 4 is a divisor of 20.
• List all the divisors of 36.

Use this term to describe numbers that are the product of a given number and an integer. Commonly used in contexts such as school math problems or times tables.

• The first five multiples of 3 are 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15.
• Identify the multiples of 7 up to 70.

In finance, 'factors' refers to companies or entities that purchase accounts receivable from other businesses to provide them with quick cash flow.

• Many businesses use factors to manage their cash flow more effectively.
• The company decided to sell its invoices to a factor to get immediate funding.

Used in business and finance to describe a way of getting short-term funding by selling accounts receivable to a lender.

• Small businesses often turn to accounts receivable financing to improve their cash flow.
• Accounts receivable financing can be a solution to manage slow-paying customers.

A type of financial arrangement where businesses sell their invoices to a third party at a discount to get immediate cash.

• Invoice financing can help businesses maintain steady cash flow without waiting for customer payments.
• By using invoice financing, the company was able to reinvest in its operations more quickly.