Factor pairs of a number are two numbers that, when multiplied together, give the original number. For the number 48, the factor pairs are:
1. (1, 48) because 1 × 48 = 48
2. (2, 24) because 2 × 24 = 48
3. (3, 16) because 3 × 16 = 48
4. (4, 12) because 4 × 12 = 48
5. (6, 8) because 6 × 8 = 48
These pairs include all the combinations of whole numbers that multiply together to give 48. Understanding factor pairs is useful in various areas of mathematics, including simplifying fractions and solving algebraic equations.