1. Steps to find factors of 4 using Division Method

Example: Find factors of 4

  • Divide 4 by 1: 4 ÷ 1 : Remainder = 0
  • Divide 4 by 2: 4 ÷ 2 : Remainder = 0
  • Divide 4 by 4: 4 ÷ 4 : Remainder = 0

Hence, Factors of 4 are 1, 2, and 4

2. Steps to find factors of 4 using Prime Factorization

A prime number is a number that has exactly two factors, 1 and the number itself. Prime factorization of a number means breaking down of the number into the form of products of its prime factors.

There are two different methods that can be used for the prime factorization.

Method 1: Division Method

To find the primefactors of 4 using the division method, follow these steps:

  • Step 1. Start dividing 4 by the smallest prime number, i.e., 2, 3, 5, and so on. Find the smallest prime factor of the number.
  • Step 2. After finding the smallest prime factor of the number 4, which is 2. Divide 4 by 2 to obtain the quotient (2).
    4 ÷ 2 = 2
  • Step 3. Repeat step 1 with the obtained quotient (2).
    2 ÷ 2 = 1

So, the prime factorization of 4 is, 4 = 2 x 2.

Method 2: Factor Tree Method

We can follow the same procedure using the factor tree of 4 as shown below:

So, the prime factorization of 4 is, 4 = 2 x 2.

3. Find factors of 4 in Pairs

Pair factors of a number are any two numbers which, which on multiplying together, give that number as a result. The pair factors of 4 would be the two numbers which, when multiplied, give 4 as the result.

The following table represents the calculation of factors of 4 in pairs:

Factor Pair Pair Factorization
1 and 4 1 x 4 = 4
2 and 2 2 x 2 = 4

Since the product of two negative numbers gives a positive number, the product of the negative values of both the numbers in a pair factor will also give 4. They are called negative pair factors.

Hence, the negative pairs of 4 would be ( -1 , -4 ) , ( -2 , -2 ) .

How can we define factors?

In mathematics, a factor is a number which divides into another number exactly, without leaving any remainder. A factor of a number can be positive of negative.

Properties of factors

  • Each number is a factor of itself. Eg. 4 is a factor of itself.
  • 1 is a factor of every number. Eg. 1 is a factor of 4.
  • Every number is a factor of zero (0), since 4 x 0 = 0.
  • Every number other than 1 has at least two factors, namely the number itself and 1.
  • Every factor of a number is an exact divisor of that number, example 1, 2, 4 are exact divisors of 4.
  • Factors of 4 are 1, 2, 4. Each factor divides 4 without leaving a remainder.
  • Every factor of a number is less than or equal to the number, eg. 1, 2, 4 are all less than or equal to 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is 4 a perfect square?

    Yes 4 is a perfect square.

  • What are factors of 4?

    Factors of 4 are 1, 2, 4.

  • Which is greatest factor of 4?

    The greatest factor of 4 is 2.

  • What is the sum of all factors of 4?

    The sum of all factors of 4 is 7.

  • What are multiples of 4?

    First five multiples of 4 are 8, 12, 16, 20.

  • What is the greatest prime factors of 4?

    The greatest prime factor of 4 is 2.

  • What are six multiples of 4?

    First five multiples of 4 are 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28.

  • What is prime factorization of 4?

    Prime factorization of 4 is 2 x 2.

  • Is 4 a whole number?

    Yes 4 is a whole number.

Examples of Factors

Annie's mathematics teacher has asked her to find out all the positive and negative factors of 4? Help her in writing all the factors.

Positive factors are 1, 2, 4.
Negative factors are -1, -2, -4.

Can you help Sammy find out the product of the odd factors of 4?

Factors of 4 are 1, 2, 4.
Odd factors of 4 are 1.
Hence product of odd factors of 4 is; 1 = 1.

Joey wants to write all the prime factors of 4 in exponential form, but he doesn't know how to do so can you assist him in this task?

Prime factors of 4 are 2, 2.
So in exponential form it can be written as 22.

How many factors are there for 4?

Factors of 4 are 1, 2, 4.
So there are in total 3 factors.

Kevin has been asked to write 2 factor(s) of 4. Can you predict the answer?

2 factor(s) of 4 are 1, 2.

Sammy is puzzled while calculating the prime factors of 4. Can you help him find them?

Factors of 4 are 1, 2, 4.
Prime factors of 4 are 2, 2

What is prime factorization of 4?

Prime factorization of 4 is 2 x 2 = 22.