are factor and divisor the same thing?

factors are for multiplication. divisors are for division.

some body said to use the Euclidean Algorithm, but I have no idea what that is :gcd( 118, 204 ) = gcd ( 118, 204 - 118 ) = gcd ( 118, 86 ) = gcd ( 118 - 86, 86 ) = gcd ( 32, 86 ) = gcd ( 32, 86 - 32 ) = gcd ( 32, 54 ) = gcd ( 32, 54 - 32 ) = gcd ( 32, 22 ) = gcd ( 10, 22 ) = gcd ( 10, 2 ) = 2 -Like whaaaaaaaat? I just you my brain so can some body please tell me: WHAT IS THIS?

Don't use the Euclidean Algorithm because while it does work, it is inefficient and mistakes will most likely happen around the middle. Try using prime factorization instead. it is much faster than using the Euclidean Algorithm.

What is a quicker way to do this?

A very quick way is to use the cake/ladder method.

what is the difference between a factor and a denominator?

The difference is that a factor is a number that goes with another number that can multiply and make it. A denominator is the bottom number of a fraction. It divides the numerator which is the top.

Main content

6th grade

Course: 6th grade > Unit 6

Lesson 11: Greatest common factor

Greatest common factor review

CCSS.Math:

6.NS.B.4

Google Classroom

Review greatest common factors (GCF) and try some practice problems.

What is GCF?

GCF stands for greatest common factor. The greatest common factor of two numbers is the greatest number that is a factor of both of them.

Finding greatest common factor

One way to find the GCF of two (or more!) numbers is to list the factors of each number and find the greatest factor they have in common.

Want to learn more about greatest common factors? Check out this video.

Example: GCF of 12 and 18

Factors of 12: start color #11accd, 1, end color #11accd, comma, start color #11accd, 2, end color #11accd, comma, start color #11accd, 3, end color #11accd, comma, 4, comma, start color #11accd, 6, end color #11accd, comma, 12

Factors of 18: start color #11accd, 1, end color #11accd, comma, start color #11accd, 2, end color #11accd, comma, start color #11accd, 3, end color #11accd, comma, start color #11accd, 6, end color #11accd, comma, 9, comma, 18

start color #11accd, 1, comma, 2, comma, 3, end color #11accd and start color #11accd, 6, end color #11accd are common factors of 12 and 18. Which of these is the greatest?

start color #11accd, 6, end color #11accd is the greatest factor that 12 and 18 have in common.

start text, g, c, f, end text, left parenthesis, 12, comma, 18, right parenthesis, equals, 6

Practice

Problem 1

Current

What is the greatest common factor of 8 and 14?

Another way to say this is:

start text, g, c, f, end text, left parenthesis, 8, comma, 14, right parenthesis, equals, question mark

Want to try more problems like this? Check out this exercise.

Want to join the conversation?

Sort by:

mjepp10
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to mjepp10's post “are factor and divisor th...”
are factor and divisor the same thing?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on mjepp10's post “are factor and divisor th...”
(21 votes)
Answer
- MetalMan_Z
  Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to MetalMan_Z's post “factors are for multiplic...”
  factors are for multiplication.
  divisors are for division.
  Comment on MetalMan_Z's post “factors are for multiplic...”
  (7 votes)
Layla Green
Posted 7 years ago. Direct link to Layla Green's post “What is a quicker way to ...”
What is a quicker way to do this?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Layla Green's post “What is a quicker way to ...”
(9 votes)
Answer
- Giridhar, Riyaa
  Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Giridhar, Riyaa's post “A very quick way is to us...”
  A very quick way is to use the cake/ladder method.
  Comment on Giridhar, Riyaa's post “A very quick way is to us...”
  (7 votes)
CheyenneE
Posted 9 months ago. Direct link to CheyenneE's post “some body said to use the...”
some body said to use the Euclidean Algorithm, but I have no idea what that is :gcd( 118, 204 )
= gcd ( 118, 204 - 118 )
= gcd ( 118, 86 )
= gcd ( 118 - 86, 86 )
= gcd ( 32, 86 )
= gcd ( 32, 86 - 32 )
= gcd ( 32, 54 )
= gcd ( 32, 54 - 32 )
= gcd ( 32, 22 )
= gcd ( 10, 22 )
= gcd ( 10, 2 )
= 2
-Like whaaaaaaaat? I just you my brain so can some body please tell me: WHAT IS THIS?
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(10 votes)
Answer
- allyson
  Posted 4 months ago. Direct link to allyson's post “Don't use the Euclidean A...”
  Don't use the Euclidean Algorithm because while it does work, it is inefficient and mistakes will most likely happen around the middle. Try using prime factorization instead. it is much faster than using the Euclidean Algorithm.
  Comment on allyson's post “Don't use the Euclidean A...”
  (3 votes)
chase
Posted 5 years ago. Direct link to chase's post “this is comfusing can you...”
this is comfusing can you help
Button navigates to signup pageComment on chase's post “this is comfusing can you...”
(9 votes)
Answer
- RobertK
  Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to RobertK's post “so just list all its divi...”
  so just list all its divisors and see the biggest one that divides both of them.
  Comment on RobertK's post “so just list all its divi...”
  (1 vote)
Mav
Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to Mav's post “why do i hate math”
why do i hate math
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Mav's post “why do i hate math”
(0 votes)
Answer
- Salvador
  Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to Salvador's post “Because u don't want to d...”
  Because u don't want to do it.
  Comment on Salvador's post “Because u don't want to d...”
  (18 votes)
Tara
Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to Tara's post “How do i not know this?! ...”
How do i not know this?! 😰
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Tara's post “How do i not know this?! ...”
(4 votes)
Answer
evanfernandez
Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to evanfernandez's post “where do i find more gcf ...”
where do i find more gcf practice
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(2 votes)
Answer
- aditisankara
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to aditisankara's post “Or maybe try IXL.COM”
  Or maybe try IXL.COM
  Comment on aditisankara's post “Or maybe try IXL.COM”
  (5 votes)
franceskelly1
Posted a year ago. Direct link to franceskelly1's post “this is so hard”
this is so hard
Button navigates to signup pageComment on franceskelly1's post “this is so hard”
(4 votes)
Answer
- splantier1
  Posted 3 months ago. Direct link to splantier1's post “Try using the cake method...”
  Try using the cake method, it is a fast and easy way to find the GCF. You can search it up online.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (1 vote)
303327
Posted 3 months ago. Direct link to 303327's post “hello cool beans this is ...”
hello cool beans this is 2023 i am from the future
Button navigates to signup pageComment on 303327's post “hello cool beans this is ...”
(4 votes)
Answer
Trista Parent
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Trista Parent's post “what is the difference be...”
what is the difference between a factor and a denominator?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Trista Parent's post “what is the difference be...”
(0 votes)
Answer
- Takeshi
  Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Takeshi's post “The difference is that a ...”
  The difference is that a factor is a number that goes with another number that can multiply and make it. A denominator is the bottom number of a fraction. It divides the numerator which is the top.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (8 votes)