greatest common factor
Mathematics · Middle School · Wed Jan 13 2021
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The greatest common factor (GCF), also known as the greatest common divisor, is the largest positive integer that perfectly divides two or more given numbers without leaving a remainder. To find the GCF of two numbers, follow these steps:
1. List the prime factors of each number. 2. Identify the common factors in each list. 3. Multiply the common factors together to get the GCF.
For example, let's find the GCF of 48 and 60:
1. Prime factors of 48: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 2. Prime factors of 60: 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 3. Common factors: 2 × 2 × 3 4. GCF of 48 and 60: 2 × 2 × 3 = 12
So, the greatest common factor of 48 and 60 is 12.