Factors of 4

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.

Also Read: 

• Basic concepts of factors
• Square root of 4
• Multiples of 4

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.