Depending on what level you are at, there are some more advanced methods for finding the GCF. This first one is probably at the pre-algebra level and the others may not be.
The Prime Factorization Method:
Let's just do one that we did the other way and I'll walk you through it:
Find | ![]() |
![]() | List the prime factorization of each using exponents: |
![24 = 2^3 x 3 ... 36 = 2^2 x 3^2 ... Line up the bases](/sites/default/files/images/02-number-theory-30.gif)
![]() | Take the SMALLER of each of the exponents... |
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![]() | Multiply these together to get the answer: |
Is this what we got the other way?
Yep!