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Because some numbers have a lot of factors. Consider 2520. The factor pairs (2520,1)(504,5)(360,7)(315,8)(280,9)(72,35)(63,40)(56,45) all are relatively prime, which means that they have a GCF of 1. Whenever a pair of numbers has a GCF of 1, the LCM is their product, which in this case is 2520. So here are 8 distinct sets of numbers with the same GCF and LCM. It happens more frequently the more factors you have.

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βˆ™ 12y ago
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βˆ™ 13y ago

the purpose of finding the gcf is to see if the two numbers are in lowest term

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βˆ™ 14y ago

Factor and divisor are synonyms in this context.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

Because factors and divisors are the same thing: numbers that divide into a product evenly.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

Finding the GCF helps to reduce fractions and factor polynomials.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

Finding the GCF helps you to reduce fractions.

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Q: Why is it important to find the greatest common factor?
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