Find the GCF of 28 and 42.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numbers 28 and 42. This involves determining the largest integer that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder.
Answer
14
Answer for screen readers
The greatest common factor (GCF) of 28 and 42 is 14.
Steps to Solve
- List the factors of each number
First, we will find the factors of 28 and 42.
For 28, the factors are: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28
For 42, the factors are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 21, 42
- Identify the common factors
Next, we look for the factors that both numbers share.
The common factors of 28 and 42 are: 1, 2, 7, 14
- Find the greatest common factor
To find the GCF, we need to select the largest number from the common factors.
The largest common factor is 14.
The greatest common factor (GCF) of 28 and 42 is 14.
More Information
The GCF is important in simplifying fractions and can help in finding the least common multiple (LCM) as well. The GCF can also be applied in various fields such as algebra and number theory.
Tips
One common mistake is overlooking the factors of each number or miscounting them. To avoid this, double-check each factor for accuracy before determining the common ones.