The common denominator of 8 and 4 is 8.
To understand why, let’s first clarify what a common denominator is. A common denominator is a number that can be used as a shared multiple of the denominators in fractions. In this case, we’re looking for a number that both 8 and 4 can divide into evenly.
Now, the multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, and so on. The multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24, and so on. The smallest number that appears in both lists is 8. Therefore, the common denominator of 8 and 4 is 8.
In practical terms, when working with fractions, using 8 as the common denominator allows us to add, subtract, or compare fractions that involve these two denominators efficiently.