Definition of Multiple
A multiple is the result of multiplying a number by an integer, not a fraction.
For example
18 is a multiple of 3, because 3 x 6 = 18
Similarly, – 12 is a multiple of 3, because 3 x -4 = 12
7 however is not a multiple of 3.
Difference between Factors and Multiples
Factors and Multiples – Both of these are related to multiplication.
While factors are what you multiply to get a number, multiples on the other hand are what you get after multiplying a number by an integer.
What are Factors?
Factors are numbers which are multiplied together to get another number.
For example
3 x 4 = 12 (Number 3 and 4 are therefore factors of number 12)
And if you did not know, negative numbers also can be factors. So if 12 was the chosen number, -1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -12 could also be factors of 12.
What are Multiples?
A multiple as you know is the result of multiplying a number by an integer.
Let us look at an example.
Multiples of 3
12 is a multiple of 3, because 3 x 4 = 12
-3 is a multiple of 3, because 3 x -1 = -3
So you know now, that you have to multiple by an integer, but the number that is multiplied can be anything.