A multiple of 4 is not necessarily a multiple of 12, as demonstrated by the example of 8, which is a multiple of 4 but not of 12. The discussion clarifies that while multiples of 4 can include numbers like 8, 16, and 20, these do not meet the criteria for multiples of 12. Conversely, it is established that every multiple of 12 is indeed a multiple of 4, since 12 can be factored into 4 and 3. This relationship is confirmed through the equation showing that if x is a multiple of 12, it can be expressed as 4 times another integer. Therefore, the assertion that a multiple of 4 is a multiple of 12 is incorrect.