To simplify \( \frac{x^8}{x^4} \), you subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator, following the rule for division of exponents.
The correct simplification is:
\[ \frac{x^8}{x^4} = x^{8-4} = x^4 \]
So, the response: "Because there are 8 factors of x in the numerator and 4 factors of x in the denominator, when the x's cancel you are left with \( x^4 \)" is correct.