What does a time signature of 4/2 denote in terms of beats?

A time signature of 4/2 indicates that there are four beats in each measure, and each beat is represented by a half note. The upper number, 4, signifies the number of beats per measure, while the lower number, 2, indicates that the half note receives one beat. This means that in a measure of 4/2 time, there are four half-note beats. Each half note takes up two beats compared to a quarter note, which would take up one beat, reinforcing that in this time signature, one half note corresponds to one full beat. Understanding the relationship between the two numbers in a time signature is essential in music theory, as it allows performers to grasp the rhythmic structure and timing necessary for accurate performance.