The highest common factor (HCF), also known as the greatest common divisor (GCD), is always positive. To find the HCF of \(-8\) and \(-4\), we can simply ignore the negative signs and find the HCF of their absolute values: 8 and 4.

Since 4 divides both 8 and 4 evenly, the HCF of \(-8\) and \(-4\) is:

\[
\text{HCF}(-8, -4) = 4
\]

Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions for practice:

1. What is the HCF of 18 and 24?
2. How do you find the HCF using prime factorization?
3. What is the HCF of -12 and 15?
4. Can the HCF of two numbers ever be greater than the smaller number?
5. What is the relationship between HCF and LCM?

**Tip:** The HCF of negative numbers is the same as for their absolute values.

Learn how to find the highest common factor (HCF), also known as the greatest common divisor (GCD), of negative numbers like -8 and -4 by using absolute values. Understand key number theory concepts and apply the Euclidean algorithm. Suitable for students in Grades 5-7.

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