Factors of 33 are 1, 3, 11, 33. Including 1 and 33 itself, there are 4 distinct factors for 33.
The prime factors of 33 are 3, 11, and its factor pairs are (1, 33), (3, 11). We've put this below in a table for easy sharing.
| Factors of 33: | 1, 3, 11, 33 |
| Prime Factors of 33: | 3, 11 |
| Factor Pairs of 33: | (1, 33), (3, 11) |
How to calculate factors?
To be a factor of 33, a number must divide 33 exactly, leaving no remainder. In other words, when 33 is divided by this number, the quotient is a whole number. These factors, also known as divisors, define the structure of 33 and are key in understanding its mathematical properties.
Below, we outline how to calculate the factorization of 33 using four methods: basic factorization, prime factorization, the division method, or using GCD and LCM. We also include a detailed analysis of factor pairs and a factor tree to illustrate the breakdown.
Method 1: Basic Factorization
Basic Factorization is a method to find the factors of a number by systematically testing each whole number from 2 up to the number itself to see which ones divides with zero remainder (evenly). The process is somewhat time consuming if a number is high, that's why you should master divisibility rules, to make the process faster.
Here's the breakdown for 33:
| Divisor | Is it a factor of 33? | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes, 1 is a factor of every number. | 1 × 33 = 33 |
| 2 | No, 33 is not an even number so it's not divisible by 2. | - |
| 3 | Yes, the sum of its digits (6) is divisible by 3. | 3 × 11 = 33 |
| 4 | No, the last two digits (33) do not form a number divisible by 4. | - |
| 5 | No, last digit is 3, so not divisible by 5. | - |
| 6 | No, 33 is not divisible by both 2 and 3. | - |
| 7 | No, 33 divided by 7 leaves a remainder of 5. | - |
| 8 | No, the last three digits (33) do not form a number divisible by 8. | - |
| 9 | No, the sum of its digits (6) is not divisible by 9. | - |
| 10 | No, last digit is 3, so not divisible by 10. | - |
| 11 | Yes, the difference between sums of alternating digits (0) is divisible by 11. | 11 × 3 = 33 |
| 12 | No, 33 is not divisible by both 3 and 4. | - |
| ... | continue with all the other numbers. |
Method 2: Prime Factorization
Prime numbers are natural numbers greater than 1 that have no positive divisors other than 1 and themselves. This means a prime number cannot be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers. For example:
- 2 is a prime number because its only divisors are 1 and 2.
- 3 is prime for the same reason—it can only be divided evenly by 1 and 3.
- 4 is not prime because it can be divided by 1, 2, and 4.
- 5, 7, 11, and 13 are also prime numbers.
Prime numbers are fundamental in mathematics because they are the "building blocks" of whole numbers. Any natural number greater than 1 can be expressed as a product of prime numbers, which is known as its prime factorization.
How to do prime factorization of 33
You start by dividing 33 to each prime number, multiple times, until the remainder is 0. Then you move on to the next prime number. To save time, you should test with up to \( \sqrt33 \)
| Prime Number | Is it a factor of 33? | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | No, 33 is not divisible by 2. | - |
| 3 | Yes, 33 is divisible by 3. | 33 ÷ 3 = 11, R0 |
| 3 | No, the result 11 is not divisible by 3. | - |
| 11 | 11 is a prime number. | 11 is prime. |
Method 3: Division Method
The Division Method is a systematic approach to finding all the factors of a 33 by performing successive divisions. This method involves dividing 33 by every integer from 1 up to 33 and identifying the numbers that divide exactly without leaving a remainder. In the table below we've ommitted the numbers that don't divide 33, and only kept those that do:
| Divisor | Verification |
|---|---|
| 1 | 33 ÷ 1 = 33 |
| 3 | 33 ÷ 3 = 11 |
| 11 | 33 ÷ 11 = 3 |
| 33 | 33 ÷ 33 = 1 |
Using the division method, we calculated that factors of 33 are 1, 3, 11, 33.
Factor Tree of 33
The factor tree of 33 shows the step-by-step breakdown of 33 into its prime factors. Each branch of the tree represents a division of 33 into two factors until all resulting factors are prime numbers. This visual representation helps identify the building blocks of 33 and highlights the structure of its prime factorization.
| 33 | |
| | | \ |
| 3 | 11 |
Factor Pairs of 33 (Visualization)
Factor pairs of 33 are sets of two numbers that, when multiplied together, result in 33. Factor pairs are symmetric and mirror around the square root of 33, such as (1, 33) and (33, 1), and can be both positive and negative pairs as long as their product equals 33.
| Negative factor pairs | Positive factor pairs |
|---|---|
| (-1, -33) | (1, 33) |
| (-3, -11) | (3, 11) |
All factor pairs of 33 are (1, 33), (3, 11), (-1, -33), (-3, -11).
Why Should I Care About Factors of 33?
Turns out, factors aren’t just about boring math equations—they’re like secret superpowers hiding inside numbers! Knowing them can help you split things up, share with friends, or even spot hidden patterns. Want to know how? Check out these real-life examples that show just how cool factors really are:
- Filling Boxes: You have 33 toys and want to fill boxes. If each box holds 1 toys, you’ll need 33 boxes because 1 × 33 = 33.
- Watering Plants: You have 33 plants that need watering. If each watering can waters 1 plants, you’ll need 33 cans to water them all because 1 × 33 = 33.
- Distributing Posters: You have 33 posters to distribute. If each store takes 3 posters, you can deliver to 11 stores because 3 × 11 = 33.
- Filling Ice Trays: You have 33 ice cubes to freeze. If each tray holds 3 cubes, you’ll need 11 trays because 3 × 11 = 33.
- Stocking a Pantry: You have 33 cans of food to stock in the pantry. If each shelf holds 3 cans, you’ll need 11 shelves because 3 × 11 = 33.