Find the greatest common factor of 12 and 24.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to determine the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numbers 12 and 24. The GCF is the largest number that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder.
Answer
The GCF of 12 and 24 is $12$.
Answer for screen readers
The greatest common factor (GCF) of 12 and 24 is $12$.
Steps to Solve
- List the factors of each number
To find the GCF, we start by listing all the factors of each number:
- The factors of 12 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
- The factors of 24 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24
- Identify the common factors
Next, we identify the factors that are common to both numbers:
- The common factors of 12 and 24 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
- Find the greatest common factor
Now, we look for the largest factor that appears in both lists:
- The greatest common factor is 12.
The greatest common factor (GCF) of 12 and 24 is $12$.
More Information
The greatest common factor is useful for simplifying fractions and finding common denominators in addition or subtraction of fractions. The GCF also has applications in many areas of number theory.
Tips
- Forgetting to list all factors: Make sure to list every factor for accuracy.
- Overlooking common factors: Carefully compare the factors of both numbers to ensure no common factors are missed.
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