56 is a composite number. 56 = 1 x 56, 2 x 28, 4 x 14, or 7 x 8. Factors of 56: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 28, 56. Prime factorization: 56 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 7, which can also be written 56 = 2³ x 7.

Sometimes 56 is a clue in the FIND THE FACTORS puzzles. Even though it has other factors, the only multiplication fact we use is 7 x 8 = 56.

This week’s puzzles are available in an excel file here. If you have a spreadsheet program on your computer, you can access it. If you enable editing in excel, you can type your answers directly onto the puzzle, and you can also easily print the puzzles.

The factors for last week’s level 2 Southeast Arrow Puzzle:

Here are three different factor trees for the number 56: