Factors of -10
2026-02-28 17:18 Diff
https://brightchamps.com/en-us/math/numbers/factors-of-minus-10

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Last updated on December 11, 2025

Factors are the numbers that divide any given number evenly without a remainder. In daily life, we use factors for tasks like sharing items equally, arranging things, etc. In this topic, we will learn about the factors of -10, how they are used in real life, and tips to learn them quickly.

What are the Factors of -10?

The numbers that divide -10 evenly are known as factors of -10.

A factor of -10 is a number that divides the number without a remainder.

The factors of -10 include both positive and negative numbers: 1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, and -10.

Prime factors of -10: 2 and 5.

Prime factorization of -10: -1 × 2 × 5.

The sum of the positive factors of 10: 1 + 2 + 5 + 10 = 18

How to Find Factors of -10?

Factors can be found using different methods. Mentioned below are some commonly used methods:

Finding Factors Using Multiplication

To find factors using multiplication, we need to identify pairs of numbers that multiply to give -10. Identifying the numbers which are multiplied to get the number -10 is the multiplication method.

Step 1: Multiply -10 by 1, -10 × 1 = -10.

Step 2: Check for other numbers that give -10 after multiplying

2 × -5 = -10

-2 × 5 = -10

Therefore, the positive and negative factor pairs of -10 are: (1, -10), (-1, 10), (2, -5), and (-2, 5). All these factor pairs result in -10.

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Finding Factors Using Division Method

Dividing the given number by whole numbers until the remainder becomes zero and listing out the numbers which result in whole numbers as factors. Factors can be calculated by following a simple division method

Step 1: Divide -10 by 1, -10 ÷ 1 = -10.

Step 2: Continue dividing -10 by the numbers until the remainder becomes 0.

(-10 ÷ 1 = -10
-10 ÷ -1 = 10
-10 ÷ 2 = -5
-10 ÷ -2 = 5

Therefore, the factors of -10 are: 1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, and -10.

Prime Factors and Prime Factorization

The factors can be found by dividing with prime numbers. We can find the prime factors using the following methods:

Using Prime Factorization: In this process, prime factors of -10 divide the number to break it down into the multiplication form of prime factors till the remainder becomes 1.

(-10 ÷ -1 = 10
10 ÷ 2 = 5
5 ÷ 5 = 1

The prime factors of -10 are 2 and 5.

The prime factorization of -10 is: -1 × 2 × 5.

Factor Tree

The factor tree is the graphical representation of breaking down any number into prime factors. The following steps show

Step 1: Firstly, -10 is divided by -1 to get 10.

Step 2: Now divide 10 by 2 to get 5.

Step 3: Divide 5 by 5 to get 1. Here, 5 is the smallest prime number that cannot be divided anymore.

So, the prime factorization of -10 is: -1 × 2 × 5.

Factor Pairs: Two numbers that are multiplied to give a specific number are called factor pairs. Both positive and negative factors constitute factor pairs.

Positive factor pairs of 10: (1, 10), (2, 5).

Negative factor pairs of -10: (-1, 10), (1, -10), (-2, 5), (2, -5).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Factors of -10

Mistakes are common while finding factors. We can identify and correct those mistakes using the following common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.

Problem 1

There are 5 people and 10 oranges. How will they share it equally?

Okay, lets begin

Each person will get 2 oranges.

Explanation

To divide the oranges equally, we need to divide the total oranges by the number of people.
10/5 = 2

Well explained 👍

Problem 2

A piece of rope is 10 meters long, and you need to cut it into 2 equal parts. How long will each piece be?

Okay, lets begin

Each piece will be 5 meters long.

Explanation

To find the length of each piece, divide the total length by 2.
10/2 = 5

Well explained 👍

Problem 3

There are 10 chairs and 2 tables. How many chairs will be around each table if they are equally distributed?

Okay, lets begin

Each table will have 5 chairs.

Explanation

To find how many chairs will be around each table, divide the total chairs by the number of tables.
10/2 = 5

Well explained 👍

Problem 4

In a party, there are 10 balloons and 5 children. How many balloons will each child get?

Okay, lets begin

Each child will get 2 balloons.

Explanation

Dividing the balloons by the total number of children, we will find the number of balloons each child gets.
10/5 = 2

Well explained 👍

Problem 5

10 plants need to be divided into 5 garden sections. How many plants will go in each section?

Okay, lets begin

Each section will have 2 plants.

Explanation

Divide the total number of plants by the number of sections.
10/5 = 2

Well explained 👍

FAQs on Factors of -10

1.What are the factors of -10?

1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, and -10 are the factors of -10.

2.Mention the prime factors of -10.

The prime factors of -10 are -1, 2, and 5.

3.Is -10 a multiple of 2?

4.Mention the factor pairs of -10?

(-1, 10), (1, -10), (-2, 5), and (2, -5) are the factor pairs of -10.

5.What is the absolute value of -10?

Important Glossaries for Factors of -10

  • Factors: The numbers that divide a given number without leaving a remainder are called factors. For example, the factors of -10 are 1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, and -10.
     
  • Prime factors: The factors that are prime numbers. For example, 2 and 5 are prime factors of -10.
     
  • Factor pairs: Two numbers in a pair that are multiplied to give the original number are called factor pairs. For example, the factor pairs of -10 are (-1, 10), (1, -10), etc.
     
  • Multiples: Numbers that can be divided by another number without a remainder. For example, -10 is a multiple of 2.
     
  • Absolute value: The distance of a number from zero without considering its sign. For example, the absolute value of -10 is 10.

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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.