How Do You Find The Greatest Common Factor Of Two Numbers?
Being able to find Greatest Common Factors, or GCF, is an important part of dealing with fractions. It is the first step in simplifying fractions. these steps will help you easily find the Greatest Common Factor of two numbers. To find the Greatest Common Factor of two or more numbers, begin by listing the numbers vertically on a piece of paper. Write the factors of each number. Remember factors are numbers that can go into the larger number evenly. It is sometimes easier to list factors by pairs that multiple to equal the larger number. You can then easily rearrange them in numerical order. ex: 72: 1 x 72, 2 x 36, 3 x 24, 4 x 18, 6 x 12, 8 x 9 Then rearrange in numerical order from least to greatest. ex: 72: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 72 Continue listing the factors for all the numbers you need. Compare the lists of factors. Find the largest factor that is in all of the lists. This is your Greatest Common Factor. ex: factors of 72: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 72 fac
