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Factors of 8

Every whole number that divides 8 exactly, the factor pairs, and how to find them yourself.

The answer

The factors of 8 are 1, 2, 4 and 8.

Factor pairs of 8

PairMakes
1 × 88
2 × 48

Prime factors of 8

Prime factorisation
8 = 2 × 2 × 2 (2³)
Is 8 prime?
No. It has 4 factors, not just 1 and 8.
Is 8 a square number?
No. 2 × 2 = 4 and 3 × 3 = 9, so 8 falls between two square numbers.

How to find the factors of 8

8 is even, so 2 is sure to be a factor. Work up from 1 to 2, and write down both numbers in every pair you find.

  1. 8 ÷ 1 = 8, so 1 × 8 is a pair.
  2. 8 ÷ 2 = 4, so 2 × 4 is a pair.

Stop at 3: 3 × 3 = 9, which is more than 8. The next pair you would find is 4 × 2, which is 2 × 4 turned round, so you already have every pair.

8 in the times tables

2 × 4 = 8. Practise the 2 times table and 4 times table.

More numbers

Questions parents ask

What is the largest factor of 8, apart from 8 itself?

4. Divide 8 by its smallest factor above 1, which is 2: 8 ÷ 2 = 4.

What do the factors of 8 add up to?

15. Leaving out 8 itself, they add up to 7, which is less than 8, so 8 is called a deficient number.

Which number after 8 has the same number of factors?

10. Like 8, it has exactly 4 factors.

Number facts are the base of 11+ maths

Factors, multiples, primes and square numbers come up all over 11+ maths, from simplifying fractions to ratio. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.