Factors of Algebraic Terms

Algebraic terms have factors, which are numbers or terms that divide exactly into them. 

For example, the factors of 8ab can be obtained from the factor pairs. 

8ab

= 8 × ab

= 2 × 4ab

= 4 × 2ab 

= 1 × 8ab 

= 8a × b 

= 8b × a 

Thus the factors of 8ab are: 1, 2, 4, 2ab, 4ab, 8ab, 8a, 8b, a, b, 8.