What is the greatest common factor of 3y squared and 24y cubed?

Answer 1

Since 3y2 can evenly divide 24y3, 3y2 must be the greatest common factor, since the greatest common factor cannot be larger than the smaller of the two numbers.

But, we can also look at a factorization of both numbers.

We can tell that 3y2 = 3 x y2.

We can tell that 24y3 = 3 x 8 x y3 = 3 x 23 x y2 x y.

These numbers have in common 3 and y2, so 3y2 is the greatest common factor.

Answer 2

Well, honey, the greatest common factor of 3y squared and 24y cubed is 3y squared. It's like finding the biggest slice of cake you can share between the two numbers, and in this case, that slice is 3y squared. So, grab your fork and dig in!