GRE Math : Greatest Common Factor

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Greatest Common Factor

Find the greatest common factor of 16 and 24.

Possible Answers:

2

4

8

16

Correct answer:

8

Explanation:

First, find all of the factors of each number. Factors are the numbers that, like 16 and 24, can evenly be divided. The factors of 16 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16. The factors of 24 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24.

Now, to find the greatest common factor, we find the largest number that is on both lists. This number is 8.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Greatest Common Factor

What is the greatest common factor of 18 and 24?

Possible Answers:

3

18

24

9

6

Correct answer:

6

Explanation:

The greatest common factor is the greatest factor that divides both numbers. To find the greatest common factor, first list the prime factors of each number.

18 = 2 * 3 * 3

24 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3

18 and 24 share one 2 and one 3 in common.  We multiply them to get the GCF, so 2 * 3 = 6 is the GCF of 18 and 24.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Greatest Common Factor

What is the greatest common factor of  and ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To make things easier, note 6930 is divisible by 30:

6930 = 231 * 30 = 3 * 77 * 3 * 2 * 5 = 3 * 7 * 11 * 3 * 2 * 5 = 2 * 32 * 5 * 7 * 11

288 = 2 * 144 = 2 * 12 * 12 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 2 * 2 * 3 = 25 * 32

 

Consider each of these "next to each other":

25 * 32

2  * 32 * 5 * 7 * 11

Each shares factors of 2 and 3.  In the case of 2, they share 1 factor.  In the case of 3, they share 2 factors.  Therefore, their greatest common factor is: 2 * 32 = 2 * 9 = 18

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