What is the GCF of 18 and 32?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numbers 18 and 32. To find the GCF, we need to determine the largest number that divides both 18 and 32 without leaving a remainder.
Answer
The GCF of 18 and 32 is $2$.
Answer for screen readers
The greatest common factor (GCF) of 18 and 32 is $2$.
Steps to Solve
- List the Factors of Each Number
First, we will list the factors of both numbers.
Factors of 18: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18
Factors of 32: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
- Identify the Common Factors
Next, we find the factors that are common to both lists.
Common factors of 18 and 32: 1, 2
- Determine the Greatest Common Factor
Now, we select the largest number from the common factors that divides both 18 and 32 without leaving a remainder.
The greatest common factor is: $$ 2 $$
The greatest common factor (GCF) of 18 and 32 is $2$.
More Information
The GCF is important in many areas of mathematics, including simplifying fractions and finding common denominators. It helps us understand the relationships between numbers.
Tips
- Forgetting to list all factors: It's important to list every factor to ensure no common factors are overlooked.
- Confusing GCF with LCM (Least Common Multiple): Remember, GCF is about common divisors, while LCM is about common multiples.
