Factors of 24: Complete List, Factor Trees, Real-Life Examples

Last updated: 12/11/2025

What Are the Factors of 24?

The factors of 24 are the numbers that can be multiplied together to equal 24. They are the whole numbers that divide 24 exactly, leaving no remainder.

The complete list of factors of 24 is: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24.

They come in pairs (often called Factor Pairs):

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$1 \times 24 = 24$
$2 \times 12 = 24$
$3 \times 8 = 24$
$4 \times 6 = 24$

How to Find Factors

Elementary school math often uses visual tools to make finding factors fun and intuitive:

The Factor Rainbow: This method connects the factor pairs visually. Imagine drawing an arc (a rainbow) over the list of factors to connect the pairs: 1 connects to 24, 2 connects to 12, 3 connects to 8, and 4 connects to 6. If your rainbow is complete, you haven’t missed any factors!
The Factor Tree: Factor trees are used to break a number down into its prime factors (more on those next). Start with 24 at the top, branch into two factors (like $4 \times 6$ ), and continue branching until all the numbers at the bottom are prime numbers. This is a crucial step toward understanding factoring in algebra.

Prime Factors of 24

A prime number is a whole number greater than 1 whose only factors are 1 and itself (e.g., 2, 3, 5, 7).

The Prime Factorization of 24 is simply a list of the prime numbers that multiply together to equal 24.

Using a factor tree, you’ll find that:

$24 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3$

This can be written using exponents as:

$24 = 2^3 \times 3$

Why this matters: Prime factors are the unique, non-negotiable building blocks of a number. Understanding this concept is the difference between rote memorization and true mathematical fluency. When students learn how numbers are constructed from primes, they gain a deeper ability to understand concepts like GCF (Greatest Common Factor) and LCM (Least Common Multiple).

Real-Life Examples Every Kid Loves

Factors aren’t just for worksheets. They are the math we use to distribute items evenly:

Sharing Cookies: If you bake 24 cookies, how many friends can you share them with equally? You could give 8 friends 3 cookies each ( $8 \times 3$ ), or 6 friends 4 cookies each ( $6 \times 4$ ). The factors (3, 4, 6, 8, etc.) are the possible group sizes.
Building with LEGO: A set has 24 standard bricks. You want to build a rectangular base. The dimensions of the base must be a factor pair of 24, such as $4 \times 6$ or $3 \times 8$ .
Screen Time Scheduling: If a child earns 24 minutes of screen time, they could choose to split it into two 12-minute sessions, or three 8-minute sessions. Factors help them plan!

From Factors to Factoring: The Bridge to Algebra

This is where simple factor recall breaks down. Knowing the factors of 24 is a necessary step, but the real goal is for your child to understand the process of factoring, which is the foundation of high school algebra.

Factoring is the reverse of distribution. For example:

In arithmetic, we factor 24 as $4 \times 6$ .
In algebra, we factor an expression like $4x + 24$ . The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of 4 and 24 is 4.
We then factor the expression using the GCF:
$4x + 24 = 4(x + 6)$

A child who truly understands factors can easily make this leap. A child who only memorized the list of factors of 24 will get stuck.

Does Your Child Really Understand Factors? Take This 3-Minute Home Quiz

If your child can ace the basic recall, challenge them with these five progressive questions to truly test their conceptual understanding and ability to apply the knowledge.

Question	Type of Understanding Tested
Q1. List all the factors of 24.	Basic Recall
Q2. What are the prime factors of 24?	Fundamental Concept
Q3. If you have 24 stamps, can you arrange them into a rectangular grid with 5 rows? Why or why not?	Real-Life Application
Q4. The number 24 can be written as $2^a times 3^b$ . What are the values of $a$ and $b$ ?	Deep Conceptual/Exponent Skill
Q5. Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of 24 and 40.	Bridge to Algebra (GCF)

Answers and Insights

A1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24.
A2. 2 and 3.
A3. No. 5 is not a factor of 24, so the stamps cannot be divided evenly into 5 equal rows.
A4. $a=3$ and $b=1$ . ( $2^3 \times 3^1 = 8 \times 3 = 24$ )
A5. 8. (Factors of 40 are 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 40. The largest factor shared with 24 is 8.)

If your child struggled with questions 4 or 5, don’t worry, most kids do at first! The good news? WuKong Education’s certified teachers spot these exact gaps in the first 10 minutes of their free trial class. This is a skill gap, not a knowledge gap. It’s the moment to move from simple recall to advanced thinking.

Get a Professional Grade-Level Check with WuKong Education

Forget frustrating homework and endless worksheets. Get an accurate, professional assessment of your child’s factor knowledge (and their entire math level) in one easy session.

100% free 30-minute trial class with a certified math teacher.
The session starts with a quick, personalized placement quiz that is way more accurate than any online worksheet.
You’ll receive a detailed, personalized report afterward: exactly which factor skills are solid and where the holes are.
No obligation: many parents just use the free class as the best “math check-up” of the year.

This isn’t just about factors of 24. It’s about ensuring the foundation is strong before the complexity of middle school math and algebra hits.

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Conclusion: The Path to Mastery

Knowing the factors of 24 is just the beginning. It’s the ability to apply those factors to complex problems (like GCF and factoring polynomials) that defines future success. Let a WuKong teacher show you (and your child) exactly how far they’ve come, and the fastest way to get even better. Spots fill fast, book your free trial class today!

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FAQ Block: Your Questions Answered

Question	Answer
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Q: How long is the trial class?	A: The session is 30 minutes, conducted 1-on-1 with a certified teacher.
Q: Will I get a report of my child’s math level?	A: Yes — parents receive a detailed feedback report outlining strengths and weaknesses within 24 hours of the class.
Q: What ages/grades does WuKong teach?	A: WuKong offers math programs for students from Pre-K through Grade 12.
Q: What is the benefit of an online 1-on-1 class?	A: It allows the teacher to instantly adapt the lesson and assessment to your child’s exact needs, making the learning personalized and efficient.

Discovering the maths whiz in every child,
that’s what we do.

Suitable for students worldwide, from grades 1 to 12.

Get started free!

James | WuKong Math Teacher

Graduated from Columbia University in the United States and has rich practical experience in mathematics competitions’ teaching, including Math Kangaroo, AMC… He teaches students the ways to flexible thinking and quick thinking in sloving math questions, and he is good at inspiring and guiding students to think about mathematical problems and find solutions.