32 (number) facts for kids

Thirty-two is a fascinating number that comes right after thirty-one and before thirty-three. It's an even number, which means you can divide it perfectly by two. Thirty-two is also special because it's a power of two, meaning you get it by multiplying the number two by itself several times.

Understanding the Number 32

The number 32 has many interesting mathematical properties. It's a composite number, which means it has more than two factors (numbers that divide into it evenly).

Factors and Multiples

The numbers that can divide 32 without leaving a remainder are called its factors. For 32, these factors are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 itself.

When you multiply 32 by other whole numbers, you get its multiples. For example, 64 (32 x 2) and 96 (32 x 3) are multiples of 32.

32 as a Power of Two

Thirty-two is a power of two. This means it can be written as 2 raised to a certain power. In this case, 32 is 2 to the power of 5, or 2⁵.

• 2 x 2 = 4
• 4 x 2 = 8
• 8 x 2 = 16
• 16 x 2 = 32

This makes 32 important in computer science and digital systems, which often use powers of two.

Where We See 32 in Daily Life

The number 32 appears in many different places around us, from science to sports.

Science and Nature

• Temperature: The freezing point of water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a common temperature reference in countries using the Fahrenheit scale.
• Human Body: Most adult humans have 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
• Computer Science: In computers, 32-bit systems are common. This refers to how much information a computer's processor can handle at once.

Sports and Games

• Chess: A standard chess board has 32 pieces at the start of a game, 16 for each player.
• Cards: Some card games use a deck of 32 cards.
• Soccer: The FIFA World Cup often features 32 teams competing in the final tournament.

Other Uses

• Music: In music, a 32nd note is a very short note duration.
• Flags: The flag of Brazil has 32 stars.

Fun Facts About 32

• 32 is the smallest number with exactly six divisors.
• It is the fourth power of two, if you start counting from 2⁰ (which is 1). If you start from 2¹ (which is 2), it's the fifth power.
• In some older systems, 32 was used as a base for counting, similar to how we use 10 today.