Factors of -8
2026-02-28 10:37 Diff
https://brightchamps.com/en-us/math/numbers/factors-of-minus-8

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Last updated on December 11, 2025

Factors are the numbers that divide any given number evenly without remainder. In daily life, we use factors for tasks like sharing items equally, arranging things, etc. In this topic, we will learn about the factors of -8, how they are used in real life, and the tips to learn them quickly.

What are the Factors of -8?

The numbers that divide -8 evenly are known as factors of -8.

A factor of -8 is a number that divides the number without remainder.

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

Negative factors of -8: -1, -2, -4, and -8.

Prime factors of -8: 2.

Prime factorization of -8: -1 × 2³.

The sum of factors of -8: 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 = 15

How to Find Factors of -8?

Factors can be found using different methods. Mentioned below are some commonly used methods:

  • Finding factors using multiplication
  • Finding factors using division method
  • Prime factors and Prime factorization

Finding Factors Using Multiplication

To find factors using multiplication, we need to identify the pairs of numbers that are multiplied to give -8. Identifying the numbers which are multiplied to get the number -8 is the multiplication method.

Step 1: Multiply -8 by 1, -8 × 1 = -8.

Step 2: Check for other numbers that give -8 after multiplying

-1 × 8 = -8
-2 × 4 = -8

Therefore, the positive factor pairs of -8 are: (1, -8), (2, -4).

All these factor pairs result in -8. For every positive factor, there is a negative factor.

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Finding Factors Using Division Method

Dividing the given numbers with whole numbers until the remainder becomes zero and listing out the numbers which result as whole numbers as factors. Factors can be calculated by following a simple division method

Step 1: Divide -8 by 1, -8 ÷ 1 = -8.

Step 2: Continue dividing -8 by the numbers until the remainder becomes 0.

-8 ÷ 1 = -8
-8 ÷ 2 = -4
-8 ÷ 4 = -2
-8 ÷ 8 = -1

Therefore, the factors of -8 are: 1, 2, 4, 8.

Prime Factors and Prime Factorization

The factors can be found by dividing it with prime numbers. We can find the prime factors using the following methods:

Using Prime Factorization: In this process, prime factors of -8 divide the number to break it down in the multiplication form of prime factors till the remainder becomes 1.

-8 ÷ 2 = -4
-4 ÷ 2 = -2
-2 ÷ 2 = -1

The prime factor of -8 is 2.

The prime factorization of -8 is: -1 × 2³.

Factor Tree

The factor tree is the graphical representation of breaking down any number into prime factors. The following step shows

Step 1: Firstly, -8 is divided by 2 to get -4.

Step 2: Now divide -4 by 2 to get -2.

Step 3: Divide -2 by 2 to get -1. Here, -1 is the negative number that finalizes the factorization.

So, the prime factorization of -8 is: -1 × 2³.

Factor Pairs: Two numbers that are multiplied to give a specific number are called factor pairs. Both positive and negative factors constitute factor pairs.

Positive factor pairs of -8: (1, -8), (2, -4).

Negative factor pairs of -8: (-1, 8), (-2, 4).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Factors of -8

Mistakes are common while finding factors. We can identify and correct those mistakes using the following common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.

Problem 1

There are 8 apples and -8 people. How will they divide it equally using the factor concept?

Okay, lets begin

Each person will get 1 apple.

Explanation

To divide the apples equally, we need to divide the total apples with the number of people.
8/8 = 1

Well explained 👍

Problem 2

A chocolate bar is cut into 8 pieces, and -8 degrees is the temperature. If each piece is a factor of -8, how many pieces are there?

Okay, lets begin

Each piece represents 1.

Explanation

Since -8 is divided into 8 pieces, each piece represents a factor of 1.
-8/8 = -1

Well explained 👍

Problem 3

A road is 4 meters wide, and -8 is the temperature. How many lanes can the road have if each lane is a factor of -8?

Okay, lets begin

2 lanes.

Explanation

To find how many lanes can fit, use the factor of -8: 4. -8/4 = -2

Well explained 👍

Problem 4

There are 2 trees planted in a row, and -8 birds. How many birds per tree if birds are split using factors of -8?

Okay, lets begin

4 birds per tree.

Explanation

Distribute the birds using the factor 4.
-8/2 = -4

Well explained 👍

Problem 5

-8 marbles are placed into 4 boxes. How many marbles will go in each box?

Okay, lets begin

Each box has 2 marbles.

Explanation

Divide total marbles with boxes.
-8/4 = -2

Well explained 👍

FAQs on Factors of -8

1.What are the factors of -8?

1, 2, 4, 8 are the factors of -8.

2.Mention the prime factorization of -8.

The prime factorization of -8 is -1 × 2³.

3.Is -8 a multiple of 2?

4.Mention the factor pairs of -8.

(1, -8), (2, -4) are the factor pairs of -8.

5.What is the cube of -8?

Important Glossaries for Factor of -8

  • Factors: The numbers that divide the given number without leaving a remainder are called factors. For example, the factors of -8 are 1, 2, 4, and 8.
     
  • Prime factors: The factors which are prime numbers. For example, 2 is a prime factor of -8.
     
  • Factor pairs: Two numbers in a pair that are multiplied to give the original number are called factor pairs. For example, the factor pairs of -8 are (1, -8), (2, -4), etc.
     
  • Negative factors: The factors of a number that are negative. For example, -1, -2, -4, and -8 are negative factors of -8.
     
  • Prime factorization: The expression of a number as a product of prime numbers. For example, the prime factorization of -8 is -1 × 2³.

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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.