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Example: 30 and 42

Factor them.

2 x 3 x 5 = 30

2 x 3 x 7 = 42

Select the common factors.

2 x 3 = 6, the GCF

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Q: When finding the greatest common factor of 2 numbers by using prime factorizationwhat is the greatest common factor of the commonprime factors?
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Why do you need the common prime factors when finding the greatest common factor?

You do not necessarily need the common prime factors when finding the greatest common factor, but with large numbers or numbers for which you cannot easily determine all the factors, using prime factorization to determine the greatest common factor is the easiest method. The greatest common factor can then be determined by multiplying the common prime factors together. For example, when trying to find the greatest common factor of 2144 and 5672, finding all their possible factors to compare could be difficult. So, it is easier to find their prime factors, determine the prime factors they have in common, and then multiply the common prime factors to get the greatest common factor. For descriptions and examples of finding the greatest common factor, see the "Related Questions" links below.


What is the greatest common factor of 88 and 231?

The factors of 88 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 11, 22, 44, and 88. The factors of 231 are 1, 3, 7, 11, 21, 33, 77, and 231. The common factors are 1 and 11. Therefore, the greatest common factor is 11. The greatest common factor can also be calculated by finding the prime factors and multiplying the common prime factors together. The prime factors of 88 are 2, 2, 2, and 11. The prime factors of 231 are 3, 7, and 11. The common prime factors are a single 11, so 11 is the greatest common factor.


How is prime factorization different from finding factors of a number?

All numbers have factors. Some factors are prime numbers, some are composite numbers, one is neither. When finding the factors of a number, you find all the factors. The prime factorization is a multiplication string of just prime factors that will total the given number.


What are the common factors and greatest common factor of 1?

Short answer: There are none. There is neither a greatest common factor nor common factors of a single number, such as ??, because there cannot be any form of common factor without two or more numbers to compare. Common factors are factors that the numbers being compared have in common. The greatest common factor is the largest factor that all the numbers being compared have in common. Thus, since there are not two or more numbers to compare, there are neither common factors nor a greatest common factor. Examples: The common factors of 1 and 3 are only 1; the greatest common factor is 1. The common factors of 1 and 111 are only 1; the greatest common factor is 1. Note: Since the only factor of 1 is 1, when finding the greatest common factor of 1 and another number, the only possible common factor and greatest common factor is 1.


Does 16 or 36 have a greatest common factor?

Neither 16 nor 36 have a greatest common factor. There is neither a greatest common factor nor common factors of a single number, such as 16, because there cannot be any form of common factor without two or more numbers to compare. Common factors are factors that the numbers being compared have in common. The greatest common factor is the largest factor that all the numbers being compared have in common. Thus, since there are not two or more numbers to compare, there are neither common factors nor a greatest common factor. However, there is a greatest common factor of the pair of 16 and 36. It is 4. See the related question for an explanation on finding the greatest common factor of 16 and 36.

Related questions

What are the factors and greatest common factor for?

Finding the greatest common factor helps when you are reducing fractions.


Why do you need the common prime factors when finding the greatest common factor?

You do not necessarily need the common prime factors when finding the greatest common factor, but with large numbers or numbers for which you cannot easily determine all the factors, using prime factorization to determine the greatest common factor is the easiest method. The greatest common factor can then be determined by multiplying the common prime factors together. For example, when trying to find the greatest common factor of 2144 and 5672, finding all their possible factors to compare could be difficult. So, it is easier to find their prime factors, determine the prime factors they have in common, and then multiply the common prime factors to get the greatest common factor. For descriptions and examples of finding the greatest common factor, see the "Related Questions" links below.


How do you get the greatest common factor on a math problem?

By finding the factors in both numbers and then finding the one that is greatest in common. For example the G.C.F for 45 and 36 is 9.


When do you use GCF and LCM?

Gcf you use when you are finding the greatest factor for the numbers. Lcm you use when you are finding the smallest multiple in the numbers factors


What are concepts to finding the greatest common factor?

-- List all factors of the first number. -- List all factors of the second number. -- If there are more than two numbers, list all factors of each one. -- Find the set of factors that are on every list. -- Find the greatest factor in the set.


What is the trick to finding the greatest common factors?

Finding the GCF will help you when you are trying to reduce fractions.


What is the greatest common factor of 88 and 231?

The factors of 88 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 11, 22, 44, and 88. The factors of 231 are 1, 3, 7, 11, 21, 33, 77, and 231. The common factors are 1 and 11. Therefore, the greatest common factor is 11. The greatest common factor can also be calculated by finding the prime factors and multiplying the common prime factors together. The prime factors of 88 are 2, 2, 2, and 11. The prime factors of 231 are 3, 7, and 11. The common prime factors are a single 11, so 11 is the greatest common factor.


How is prime factorization different from finding factors of a number?

All numbers have factors. Some factors are prime numbers, some are composite numbers, one is neither. When finding the factors of a number, you find all the factors. The prime factorization is a multiplication string of just prime factors that will total the given number.


What are the common factors and greatest common factor of 1?

Short answer: There are none. There is neither a greatest common factor nor common factors of a single number, such as ??, because there cannot be any form of common factor without two or more numbers to compare. Common factors are factors that the numbers being compared have in common. The greatest common factor is the largest factor that all the numbers being compared have in common. Thus, since there are not two or more numbers to compare, there are neither common factors nor a greatest common factor. Examples: The common factors of 1 and 3 are only 1; the greatest common factor is 1. The common factors of 1 and 111 are only 1; the greatest common factor is 1. Note: Since the only factor of 1 is 1, when finding the greatest common factor of 1 and another number, the only possible common factor and greatest common factor is 1.


What is the difference between finding the factors of a number and finding the prime factors of a number?

No difference. Once you've found the factors of a number, the prime numbers on that list are the prime factors.


How does finding the prime factorization of a group of numbers help you to find their greatest common factor?

If you take all the common prime factors between numbers and multiply them it will give you the gcf.


What is the gcf of 663 and 1547?

The first step in finding the greatest common factor is to break the numbers down into their prime factors: 663=3x13x17 1547=7x13x17 The next step is to identify any common factors. In this case, the common prime factors are 13 and 17. To find the greatest common factor we multiply these together: 13x17=221 So 221 is the GCF of 663 and 1547.