NCERT Maths Mela, Class 5, textbook pages 164–170

How to teach Class 5 Maths Chapter 13, Animal Jumps, at home

Factors, multiples and common factors, taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

3 × 42 × 6factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

NCERT Class 5 Maths Chapter 13 Animal Jumps: what it teaches

Animals jumping equal steps land on multiples; arrays show factors. Your child finds factors by making arrays, lists multiples, and finds common factors and common multiples of two numbers.

Why it matters later. Factors and multiples lead to HCF, LCM and fractions in Class 6.

See it: this chapter in pictures

1 × 122 × 63 × 4
Every array gives a factor pair.
18:1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 1824:1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24common: 1, 2, 3, 6
Common factors appear in both lists.
1224frog: 3srabbit: 4s
They meet at common multiples: 12, 24…

You need

  • counters or buttons
  • chalk for a number line
  • squared paper

Tonight’s 10 minutes

  1. Make every array for 12 counters: 1 × 12, 2 × 6, 3 × 4. The side numbers are factors.
  2. List factors of 18 and 24. Circle the common ones.
  3. A frog jumps 3, a rabbit 4: where do both land up to 36?
  4. Play Multiplier Box: guess the multiplier from numbers coming out.

Words to use

  • factor
  • multiple
  • common factor
  • common multiple
  • array
  • prime

Watch for

  • Mixing up factors and multiples. Factors divide the number; multiples come from jumping.
  • Missing factor pairs. Check every number from 1 upward until pairs repeat.

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

YouArrays for 12?

Your child1 × 12, 2 × 6, 3 × 4.

YouSo the factors?

Your child1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12.

YouFrog jumps 3, rabbit 4. Where do they meet first?

Your child12.

A game for this week: Multiplier box

  1. One player secretly picks a multiplier.
  2. They show three outputs, e.g. 28, 36, 48.
  3. Others guess the multiplier (a common factor).
  4. Correct guess scores.

A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Arrays to find factors.
  2. Day 2Factors of two numbers.
  3. Day 3Common multiples on a number line.
  4. Day 4Multiplier box game.
  5. Day 5Factor pairs practice.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Arranging chairs in equal rows.
  • Buses every 3 and 4 minutes.
  • Packing in boxes of 6 or 8.
  • Sharing sweets evenly.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

Factors of 12?

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12.

Common factors of 18 and 24?

1, 2, 3, 6.

First common multiple of 3 and 4?

12.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Lists all factors of numbers to 50.
  • Finds common factors.
  • Finds common multiples.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Maths Mela (Class 5). See the full Class 5 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

What is a factor?

A number that divides another exactly, like 3 for 12.

What is a common multiple?

A multiple of two numbers, like 12 for 3 and 4.

How do arrays show factors?

The number of rows and columns are factors.