The Greatest Common Factor (GCF), also known as the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) or Highest Common Factor (HCF), represents the largest positive integer that divides two or more numbers without leaving a remainder. It's essentially the largest number that is a common factor among a set of integers. To understand GCF, we must first grasp what factors are - numbers that divide another number evenly with no remainder. For instance, the factors of 20 are 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, and 20, while a common factor is a number that divides multiple numbers evenly, such as 3 being a common factor of both 12 and 18.
There are three primary methods to find the GCF: listing all factors, prime factorization, and the division method. When listing factors, we identify all factors of each number and then determine the largest one they share. The prime factorization approach involves breaking down each number into its prime factors and multiplying the common prime factors. The division method (also called the Euclidean algorithm) involves dividing the larger number by the smaller one and continuing to divide until we get a remainder of zero, with the last divisor being the GCF. Each method has advantages depending on the size and complexity of the numbers involved.
Examples of Finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) Example 1: Finding the GCF Using the Listing Method Problem:Find the GCF of 10 and 15 using the listing method.
Step-by-step solution:Step 1, Identify all the factors of each number:
Factors of 10: 1, 2, 5, 10 Factors of 15: 1, 3, 5, 15Step 2, Look for the common factors between both lists. Notice which numbers appear in both lists:
Common factors: 1, 5Step 3, Select the largest number from the common factors:
The greatest common factor is 5 Therefore, GCF(10, 15) = 5 Example 2: Finding the GCF Using the Prime Factorization Method Problem:Find the GCF of 42 and 56 using the prime factorization method.
Step-by-step solution:Step 1, Break down each number into its prime factors:
For 42:
Start dividing by the smallest prime number, 2: 42 ÷ 2 = 21 Continue: 21 ÷ 3 = 7 7 is prime, so we're done: 42 = 2 × 3 × 7For 56:
56 ÷ 2 = 28 28 ÷ 2 = 14 14 ÷ 2 = 7 7 is prime, so we're done: 56 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 7Step 2, Identify the common prime factors. These are prime numbers that appear in both factorizations:
Common prime factors: 2 (appears once in both) and 7 (appears once in both)Step 3, Multiply the common prime factors to find the GCF:
GCF = 2 × 7 = 14 Therefore, GCF(42, 56) = 14 Example 3: Finding the GCF Using the Division Method Problem:Find the GCF of 20 and 35 using the division method.
Step-by-step solution:Step 1, We arrange the numbers from largest to smallest:
35 is larger than 20, so we divide 35 by 20Step 2, Perform the division and note the remainder:
35 ÷ 20 = 1 remainder 15 This means: 35 = 20 × 1 + 15Step 3, We use the divisor (20) as our new dividend and the remainder (15) as our new divisor:
20 ÷ 15 = 1 remainder 5 This means: 20 = 15 × 1 + 5Step 4, Continue the process using the previous divisor as the new dividend and the previous remainder as the new divisor:
15 ÷ 5 = 3 remainder 0 This means: 15 = 5 × 3 + 0Step 5, Since we've reached a remainder of 0, the last divisor (5) is our GCF:
GCF(20, 35) = 5 Therefore, the greatest common factor of 20 and 35 is 5. Comments(7)PProgrammerSamNovember 4, 2025I've been struggling to explain GCF to my students. This page's def and examples are super helpful! Thanks for making it easier to teach.MMrTraveler85September 19, 2025I’ve used the GCF explanation and examples on this page to help my kid with homework—it’s clear and easy to follow! The step-by-step methods really made it click for them.NNatureLover85September 9, 2025This GCF explanation was super helpful for my 5th grader! We used the step-by-step examples to tackle her homework, and it finally clicked for her. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly!NNatureLover85August 27, 2025I’ve used the GCF definition and examples from this page to help my kid with math homework. The step-by-step methods make it so easy to explain, especially the prime factorization approach!MCMs. CarterAugust 20, 2025I’ve used the GCF definition and examples from this page to help my kids with their math homework. The step-by-step methods made it so easy to explain – highly recommend for parents!svg]:px-3 dk:w-auto h-10 dk:h-14 rounded-lg dk:rounded-[15px] px-5 dk:px-7.5 text-sm dk:text-xl text-[#3467FF] bg-white hover:bg-white">Load MoreExplore More TermsNoonOrderPopulationCorresponding SidesDivisibilityFraction Greater than OneView All Math TermsRecommended Interactive LessonsMultiply by 103Math3.OA.C.7Find the value of each digit in a four-digit number3Math3.NBT.ACompare Same Denominator Fractions Using the Rules3Math3.NF.A.3dFind Equivalent Fractions Using Pizza Models3Math3.NF.A.3.a, 3.NF.A.3.bUnderstand the Commutative Property of Multiplication3Math3.OA.B.5One-Step Word Problems: Multiplication3Math3.OA.A.3View All Interactive LessonsRecommended VideosSubtraction Within 10KMathK.OA.A.2, K.OA.A.5TrianglesKMathK.G.A.2, K.G.B.4Add within 100 Fluently2Math2.NBT.B.5Read and Make Scaled Bar Graphs3Math3.MD.B.3Add Multi-Digit Numbers4Math4.NBT.B.4Convert Units Of Liquid Volume4Math4.MD.A.1,4.MD.A.2View All VideosRecommended WorksheetsCount by Tens and OnesKMathK.CC.A.1. K.CC.A.2.Add To Make 10KMathK.OA.A.4Odd And Even Numbers2Math2.OA.C.3Estimate Lengths Using Customary Length Units (Inches, Feet, And Yards)2Math2.MD.A.3Understand And Estimate Mass3Math3.MD.A.2Add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit decimals fluently6Math6.NS.B.3View All WorksheetsRecommended Coloring PagesAnkylosaurus walking forward with a spiked tailPre-K – KAll SubjectsDoctor with stethoscope waving helloPre-K – KAll SubjectsNumber 27 with a sun holding a balloon in each hand, standing next to the number1 – 2All SubjectsAsteroid belt close-up showing the texture and different shapes of the asteroids3 – 4All SubjectsSailing boat with dolphins jumping around it3 – 4All SubjectsUnicorn playing with a butterfly3 – 4All SubjectsView All Coloring PagesRecommended BlogsABCya Sound Burst: A Teacher's Guide to Interactive Phonics LearningNovember 16, 2025Science Games Transform Middle School Learning: A Path to Better Engagement and UnderstandingNovember 16, 2025Fireboy and Watergirl Online Multiplayer: Fun Math Games Kids Can Play TogetherNovember 15, 2025Can You Make Your Dog Sit in Bloxd.io? A Parent's Guide to Gaming and Real-World LearningNovember 15, 2025Runaway Toad: The Perfect Math Game for Your ClassroomNovember 15, 2025Suika Watermelon Game: 5 Math Strategies for K-6 ClassroomsNovember 14, 2025View All Blog PostsQUICK LINKSAbout UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of ServiceTOOLSHomework HelperGuide DesignerPodcast MakerPlan BuilderRESOURCESMath GlossaryEnglish GlossaryEnglish Language ArtsMathematicsScienceBook InsightsFun with WordsBlog© 2025 EDU.COM. All rights reserved.智能索引记录
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