What is the greatest common factor of 18 and 60?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numbers 18 and 60. To solve this, we need to find the largest integer that divides both 18 and 60 without leaving a remainder.
Answer
The greatest common factor of 18 and 60 is $6$.
Answer for screen readers
The greatest common factor of 18 and 60 is 6.
Steps to Solve
- List the factors of each number
Begin by determining the factors of both numbers.
For 18, the factors are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18
For 60, the factors are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60
- Identify the common factors
Now, identify the factors that are common to both 18 and 60.
The common factors are: 1, 2, 3, 6
- Determine the greatest common factor
Out of the common factors, choose the largest one.
The greatest common factor is: $$ 6 $$
The greatest common factor of 18 and 60 is 6.
More Information
The greatest common factor (GCF) is fundamental in simplifying fractions, finding lowest terms, and performing factorization. Understanding GCF helps in various areas of mathematics, including number theory.
Tips
- Not listing all factors: It’s easy to miss some factors. Carefully check the factors of both numbers.
- Confusing GCF with LCM: Ensure you know the difference between the greatest common factor (GCF) and least common multiple (LCM).
