Definition of factors of 4: If a number completely divides 4 without leaving a remainder, then that number is called a factor of 4.
By the above definition, we can say that the factors of 4 are the divisors of 4. In this section, we will learn about the factors of 4 and the prime factors of 4.
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Highlights of Factors of 4
- 4=2×2 is the prime factorization of 4.
- The factors of 4 are 1, 2, and 4.
- The only prime factor of 4 is 2.
- Negative factors of 4 are –1, -2, and –4.
What are the Factors of 4?
Let us write the number 4 multiplicatively in all possible ways. We definitely have:
4 = 1×4
4 = 2×2
We cannot write 4 multiplicatively in any other way than the above ones, so we will stop right now. Thus the factors of 4 in pairs are given as follows:
| 4 = a×b | Factors in Pairs (a,b) |
| 4 = 1×4 | (1, 4) |
| 4 = 2×2 | (2, 2) |
Thus the pair factors of 4 are (1, 4) and (2, 2). As all the numbers appearing in pair factors are the factors of 4, we conclude that
|
The factors of 4 are: 1, 2, and 4. |
Number of Factors of 4
From above we have calculated the factors of 4 which are 1, 2, and 4. Thus the total number of factors of 4 is three.
Prime Factors of 4
Note that the factors of 4 are 1, 2, and 4. Among those factors, we observe that only 2 is a prime number as 2 does not have any proper divisors.
∴ the only prime factor of 4 is 2.
Question: What are the factors of 4?
Video Solution:
How to Find Factors of 4?
Now we will determine the factors of 4 by division method. In this method, we will try to find the numbers that can divide 4 with no remainder. See that
4/1=4 and the remainder is 0.
∴ 1 and 4 are factors of 4.
4/2=2 and the remainder is 0.
∴ 2 and 2 are factors of 4 ⇒ 2 is a factor of 4.
Note that no numbers other than the numbers in violet color can divide 4. So the numbers in violet color, that is, 1, 2, and 4 are the complete list of factors of 4.