When we say that a number is reduced by a factor of 2, it means that we are dividing that number by 2. This process essentially halves the original number.
For instance, if we take the number 8 and reduce it by a factor of 2, we perform the calculation:
8 รท 2 = 4
So, 8 reduced by a factor of 2 is 4. This concept is often used in various mathematical contexts, such as simplifying fractions or scaling down quantities.
Understanding this idea can also be helpful in real-life scenarios, like cooking or crafting, where you might need to adjust a recipe or a project size. For example, if a recipe serves four people and you want to make it for two people, you would reduce all the ingredient quantities by a factor of 2.