What is the greatest common factor of 72 and 18?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numbers 72 and 18. This involves finding the largest number that divides both of these integers without leaving a remainder.
Answer
$9$
Answer for screen readers
The greatest common factor (GCF) of 72 and 18 is $9$.
Steps to Solve
- List the factors of both numbers
To find the GCF of 72 and 18, start by listing out all the factors for each number.
Factors of 72 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 72
Factors of 18 are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18
- Identify the common factors
Next, identify the factors that are common to both lists.
The common factors of 72 and 18 are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9
- Determine the greatest common factor
Finally, select the largest number from the identified common factors.
The greatest common factor is 9.
The greatest common factor (GCF) of 72 and 18 is $9$.
More Information
The GCF is useful in various math applications, such as simplifying fractions and finding equivalent fractions. Knowing how to find the GCF can help streamline such calculations.
Tips
- Forgetting to list all factors correctly, which may lead to missing common factors.
- Overlooking a common factor by thinking too quickly and focusing only on smaller numbers.
