CBSE Class 5 Mathematics: Chapter 6 Be My Multiple, I'll Be Your Factor NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

This chapter, "Be My Multiple, I'll Be Your Factor," for CBSE Class 5 Mathematics, introduces students to the fundamental concepts of factors and multiples. Through engaging activities like "The Mouse and the Cat," "Who is Monto Waiting for?", and "Meow Game," students explore how to identify multiples of numbers and common multiples. The solutions provide step-by-step guidance for problems involving finding common steps jumped by a cat and a mouse, identifying numbers divisible by 2, 3, and 4, and listing multiples of given numbers. The chapter also includes a dice game to reinforce the concept of forming two-digit numbers that are multiples of specific numbers. These NCERT Solutions are designed to help students understand these concepts clearly and prepare effectively for their exams by offering detailed explanations and practice.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 5
Subject	Mathematics
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	6 Be My Multiple,I’ll Be Your Factor

Chapter summary

Chapter 6, "Be My Multiple, I'll Be Your Factor," focuses on building a strong understanding of multiples and factors for Class 5 students. The NCERT Solutions cover exercises that involve identifying multiples of numbers, finding common multiples between two sequences, and recognizing numbers divisible by specific digits. Activities like the "Meow Game" and "Dice Game" are explained, along with the logic behind solving problems related to finding common steps and identifying patterns in number sequences. This chapter is crucial for developing foundational number sense.

Learning outcomes

Understand the concept of multiples and factors.
Identify multiples of a given number.
Find common multiples between two sets of numbers.
Solve problems involving number sequences and jumps.
Apply divisibility rules for 2, 3, and 4.
Form two-digit numbers based on divisibility criteria.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Multiples
Factors
Common Multiples
Divisibility by 2
Divisibility by 3
Divisibility by 4
Number Patterns
Problem Solving with Multiples
Dice Games
Number Sequences

Important topics

Identifying Multiples
Finding Common Multiples
Understanding Divisibility
Applying Concepts in Games
Number Patterns

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

The steps on which the mouse jumps:

Solution: The mouse jumps on the following steps: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28. These are the specific steps the mouse lands on during its jumps.

Question 2

The steps on which the cat jumps:

Solution: The cat jumps on the following steps: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, and 30. These are the steps the cat lands on.

Question 3

The steps on which both the cat and the mouse jump:

Solution: To find the steps where both the cat and the mouse jump, we look for the numbers that appear in both their jump sequences. Comparing the lists, we find that both jump on steps 18 and 24.

Question (d)

Can the mouse get away?

Solution: Yes, the mouse can get away. The mouse and the cat only land on the same steps at step 18 and step 24. Since these are the only points of potential encounter, and the mouse can avoid these specific steps, it can safely escape.

Question 1 (Find Out)

If the cat starts from the 5th step and jumps five steps at a time and the mouse starts from the 8th step and jumps four steps at a time, can the mouse get away?

Solution: Let's track the steps:

The cat starts at step 5 and jumps 5 steps at a time. The steps the cat jumps on are: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ...

The mouse starts at step 8 and jumps 4 steps at a time. The steps the mouse jumps on are: 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, ...

By comparing the lists, we see that both the cat and the mouse reach step 20. Since they meet at step 20, the mouse cannot get away in this scenario.

Question 1 (b)

Mark with a red dot all the numbers which can be divided by 2.

Solution: We mark all even numbers with a red dot (R). These are numbers like 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and so on, up to 60.

Question 1 (b) - continued

Mark a yellow dot on the numbers which can be divided by 3 and a blue dot on numbers which can be divided by 4.

Solution: We mark numbers divisible by 3 with a yellow dot (Y) and numbers divisible by 4 with a blue dot (B). For example, 3 gets a Y, 4 gets a B, 6 gets a Y, 8 gets a B, 9 gets a Y, 12 gets Y and B.

Question 1 (c)

Which are the boxes which have dots of all three colours?

Solution: Boxes with dots of all three colours contain numbers that are divisible by 2 (red), 3 (yellow), and 4 (blue). These are the common multiples of 2, 3, and 4. The numbers are 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60.

Question 1 (d)

What are the letters on top of those boxes?

Solution: The letters on top of the boxes containing numbers divisible by 2, 3, and 4 (i.e., 12, 24, 36, 48, 60) are M, O, U, S, E.

Question 1 (e)

Write those letters below in order.

Solution: Arranging the letters found on the boxes with all three colours (12, 24, 36, 48, 60) in order, we get the word MOUSE. This tells us that Monto the cat is waiting for the MOUSE.

Question 1 (Meow Game)

Which numbers did you replace with 'Meow'?

Solution: In the 'Meow Game' where players say 'Meow' for numbers divisible by 3, the numbers replaced with 'Meow' are the multiples of 3. These include: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, and so on.

Question 2 (Meow Game)

Play the game by changing the number to 4. Now which numbers did you replace with Meow?

Solution: If the game is played with the rule to say 'Meow' for numbers divisible by 4, then the numbers replaced with 'Meow' are the multiples of 4. These include: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, and so on.

Question 3 (Meow Game)

Write any ten multiples of 5.

Solution: Ten multiples of 5 are: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50. These are obtained by multiplying 5 by the numbers 1 through 10.

Question 1 (Dice Game)

Throw two dice together. What are the numbers that turn up on the faces of the dice? Make a two-digit number using them. If it is a multiple of any of the numbers written next to the circles, you can write it in that circle. Then it is your friend's turn. The one who can write more numbers in 10 rounds is the winner.

Solution: This is a game where you roll two dice, take the numbers shown (e.g., 3 and 2), and form a two-digit number. You can form either 32 or 23. Then, you check if this number is a multiple of any of the numbers given (e.g., 4, 5, 7). If 32 is rolled, and the numbers next to the circles are 4, 5, 7, then 32 can be written in the circle for 4 because 32 is a multiple of 4 (32 = 4 × 8). If 23 is formed, it's not a multiple of 4, 5, or 7, so you can't write it. The goal is to form more such numbers in 10 rounds.

Question (Hint - Dice Game)

Hint: I have 3 and 2 on my dice. If I make 23, it is not the multiple of any of the numbers. So I will make 32, which is a multiple of 4, and write it in the red circle.

Solution: The hint explains the strategy for the dice game. If the dice show 3 and 2, you can make the numbers 23 or 32. The number 23 is not divisible by common numbers like 4, 5, or 7. However, 32 is divisible by 4 (since 32 = 4 × 8). Therefore, the player chooses to make 32 and writes it in the circle associated with the number 4 (often represented by a colour, like red).

Question (Examples - Dice Game)

Following are some examples: 6:12,24,36,42 5:15,25,35,45 4:12,16,24,32 7:14,21,35,42

Solution: These examples show how numbers formed from dice rolls can be multiples of the numbers in the circles. For instance:

With the number 6, possible multiples are 12, 24, 36, 42.
With the number 5, possible multiples are 15, 25, 35, 45.
With the number 4, possible multiples are 12, 16, 24, 32.
With the number 7, possible multiples are 14, 21, 35, 42.

This demonstrates that if dice rolls result in numbers like 12, 24, etc., they can be placed in the corresponding circles if they are multiples of the number associated with that circle.

Question 1 (Common Multiples)

Think of a number. If it is a multiple of 3 write it in the red circle. If it is a multiple of 5 write it in the blue circle.

Solution: This involves sorting numbers based on whether they are multiples of 3 or 5.

Numbers that are multiples of 3 (and not 5) go in the red circle: 3, 6, 9, 12, 21, 24, 27, 33.
Numbers that are multiples of 5 (and not 3) go in the blue circle: 5, 10, 20, 25, 35, 40, 50.
Numbers that are multiples of both 3 and 5 (common multiples) should ideally go in an overlapping section, but based on the provided answer structure, they are listed separately. The common multiples listed are 15, 30, 45.

The key is to identify which list each number belongs to.

Common mistakes

Confusing factors with multiples.
Missing some multiples in a sequence.
Errors in identifying common multiples.
Incorrectly forming two-digit numbers from dice rolls.

Revision tips

Practice listing multiples for various numbers.
Focus on identifying common multiples in different scenarios.
Re-do the "Meow Game" and "Dice Game" to reinforce concepts.
Review the steps for finding common steps jumped by the cat and mouse.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following numbers is a multiple of both 3 and 5?

Q2. In the 'Meow Game' where players say 'Meow' for multiples of 4, which number would be replaced by 'Meow'?

Q3. If a cat jumps on steps 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 and a mouse jumps on steps 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, on which steps do they both jump?

Q4. Which numbers have dots of all three colours (red for 2, yellow for 3, blue for 4) in Monto's game?

Q5. What is the next multiple of 5 after 40?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main concept of Chapter 6, 'Be My Multiple, I'll Be Your Factor' for Class 5 Maths?

This chapter introduces students to the concepts of multiples and factors. It teaches them how to identify multiples of numbers, find common multiples, and understand divisibility rules through various engaging activities and games.

How do the NCERT Solutions for this chapter help students?

The solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each problem, helping students understand the methods to find multiples, common multiples, and solve problems related to number patterns and divisibility. This aids in better comprehension and exam preparation.

What is the 'Meow Game' about?

The 'Meow Game' is a fun activity where players count numbers sequentially, but say 'Meow' instead of numbers that are multiples of a chosen number (like 3 or 4). This helps in recognizing and recalling multiples.

How does the 'Dice Game' help in learning?

The 'Dice Game' involves forming two-digit numbers from dice rolls and checking if they are multiples of specific numbers. This reinforces the understanding of multiples and divisibility in a practical, game-based format.

What are common multiples?

Common multiples are numbers that are multiples of two or more different numbers. For example, 12 is a common multiple of 3 and 4 because it is in the list of multiples for both 3 and 4.

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