If given numbers \(a\) and \(b\text{,}\) it is possible that \(a \div b\) gives a whole number. In this case, we say that \(b\) divides \(a\text{,}\) in symbols, we write \(b \mid a\text{.}\) If this holds, then \(b\) is a divisor or factor of \(a\text{,}\) and \(a\) is a multiple of \(b\text{.}\) In other words, if \(b \mid a\text{,}\) then \(a = bk\) for some integer \(k\) (this is saying \(a\) is some multiple of \(b\)).
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