What is the greatest common factor of 36 and 3?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numbers 36 and 3. To solve this, we need to find the factors of both numbers and determine which is the highest that they share.
Answer
The greatest common factor of 36 and 3 is $3$.
Answer for screen readers
The greatest common factor of 36 and 3 is $3$.
Steps to Solve
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List the factors of each number
To find the GCF, first list the factors of both numbers.- Factors of 36: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
- Factors of 3: 1, 3
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Identify the common factors
Compare the factors of both numbers to find the common ones.- Common factors: 1, 3
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Determine the greatest common factor
From the common factors, select the greatest one.
The highest number in the common factors is 3.
The greatest common factor of 36 and 3 is $3$.
More Information
The GCF is useful in simplifying fractions and various mathematical operations. In this case, since 3 is a factor of both numbers, it is the highest shared factor.
Tips
- Misidentifying factors: Make sure you correctly list all factors of each number; missing even one can lead to an incorrect GCF.
- Overlooking the largest factor: After finding common factors, ensure you select the highest one.
