倍数

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 倍数 is read ばいすう and means a number obtained by multiplying a reference number by an integer.
• Basic usage: It is used when finding numbers divisible by a given number or describing numerical relationships.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Direction of the relationship
  • In 十二は三の倍数, twelve is a multiple of three. The reference number comes before の.
• 倍 and 約数
  • The short example 十二は三の四倍 states the multiplier as well. 約数 describes the divisor relationship, so three is a divisor of twelve in this example.