What are Factors? | Maths Explanation for VB.Net Kids
Factors are the complete set of integers that will divide
a particular numbers without remainder.
Take 36 as an example, it's complete set are:
Other than prime numbers, every other number has at least
one factor - not considering 1 as factor.
Where there is just one factor, then this factor is the square
root of the number in question;
In this guide, we'll explore the math behind factors-of-numbers and walk through
how to code a Visual Basic algorithm for listing factors in a simple and fun way.
Code Logic for Factorising Numbers in Visual Basic - Fun Maths Exercise
Actually, we've been doing factors over the last two demonstrations (lessons).
We can implement a VB.Net algorithm for factorising a number by simply checking for our factors using the
square-root of number range.
We'll start from 1 (which is always a factor).
For each found factor, we'll get the corresponding complementary factor
by dividing the number (whose factors we are trying to find),
by the found factor.
This Math activity and Visual Basic script help primary school students understand factorization by listing all factors of a number.
Create a new VB.Net class file; Project, Add Class.
Call it listFactors.vb.
Optionally, Create a new VB.Net module file; Project, Add Module.
Call it ListFactorsModule.vb.
Type out the adjoining Visual Basic (VB.Net) code for listing the factors of any number.
Note: You can just reuse the VB.Net main module from the previous lesson if you have been following.
So! Visual Basic Fun Practice Exercise - List Factors
As a fun practice exercise, feel free to try out your own different numbers, and see how the Visual Basic code lists the factors of those numbers.
VB.Net Code for List Factors - Class File.
Dim find_my_factors As Integer
Dim found_factors As New List(Of Integer)
Dim sqrt_range As Integer
' Simulate a constructor
Public Sub _init_(candidate As Integer)
find_my_factors = candidate
found_factors.Add(1)
found_factors.Add(find_my_factors) ' 1 and itself are automatic factors
sqrt_range = CInt(Math.Ceiling(Math.Sqrt(find_my_factors)))
End Sub
' Returns an array reference Of the desired factors
Public Function findFactors() As List(Of Integer)
' Loop through 1 To 'find_my_factors' and test for divisibility.
For count = 2 To sqrt_range
If find_my_factors Mod count = 0 Then
found_factors.Add(count)
' Get the complementing factor by dividing 'find_my_factor' by variable count.
found_factors.Add(CInt(find_my_factors / count))
End If
Next count
' Sort the array in ascending order Not entirely necessary.
found_factors.Sort()
Return found_factors
End Function
End Class
VB.Net Code for List Factors - Main Module.
Sub Main()
' Use the list factors Class
Dim test_guy = 48
Dim factor_list As New ListFactors
factor_list._init_(test_guy)
Dim answer = factor_list.findFactors()
Console.WriteLine("Factors of " & test_guy & " include:")
Console.WriteLine(String.Join(", ", answer))
End Sub
End Module