The two terms, multiples and factors, are lessons learned from grade school mathematics. Both terms are the prerequisite lessons of factoring out and factorization, which are also like prerequisites for advanced algebra. Factors consist of the multiplicand, also known as the divisor or the dividend and the multiplier.
For example, the factors of the product 16: Products of 16 include 1 X 16, 2 X 8, and 4 X 4. Therefore the factors of 16 would include 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 itself. 1 and 16, 2, and 8 are the pairing factors of 16. Its prime factor is 2.
While multiples, on the other hand, are basically products or the results, which is the number from which factors can be either multiplied or divided. An example of multiples is number 16. 1X16 = 16, 2X16 = 32, 3X16 = 48, 4X16 = 64. 16 is, however, the products of the factors.