Question
You can divide both 4 and 8 by a common factor of \( \square \)
Ask by Macdonald Chambers. in the United States
Jan 24,2025
Real Tutor Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
You can divide both 4 and 8 by 2 or 4.
Solution
Both **4** and **8** share several common factors. A **common factor** is a number that divides two or more numbers without leaving a remainder. To find a common factor for 4 and 8, you can list the factors of each number and identify the numbers that appear in both lists.
### Factors of 4:
- 1
- 2
- 4
### Factors of 8:
- 1
- 2
- 4
- 8
### Common Factors of 4 and 8:
- **1**
- **2**
- **4**
So, you can divide both 4 and 8 by **1**, **2**, or **4**.
**Example:**
Let's choose **2** as the common factor.
- Dividing 4 by 2: \( \frac{4}{2} = 2 \)
- Dividing 8 by 2: \( \frac{8}{2} = 4 \)
Therefore, replacing the blank:
*You can divide both 4 and 8 by a common factor of **2**.*
**Alternatively**, using the greatest common factor (**4**):
- Dividing 4 by 4: \( \frac{4}{4} = 1 \)
- Dividing 8 by 4: \( \frac{8}{4} = 2 \)
So, you can also say:
*You can divide both 4 and 8 by a common factor of **4**.*
Choosing the greatest common factor can be particularly useful for simplifying ratios or fractions.
Reviewed and approved by the UpStudy tutoring team
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Simplify this solution Beyond the Answer
The common factor you're looking for is \( 4 \) since both \( 4 \) and \( 8 \) can be divided evenly by it. Dividing \( 4 \) by \( 4 \) gives you \( 1 \), and dividing \( 8 \) by \( 4 \) gives you \( 2 \). So, both numbers are neatly reduced while still keeping their relationship intact! It's worth noting that \( 2 \) is also a common factor of both numbers. When you divide \( 4 \) by \( 2 \), you get \( 2 \), and dividing \( 8 \) by \( 2 \) gives you \( 4 \). Exploring different common factors helps build a better understanding of numbers and their relationships!
