What is the Greatest Common Factor?
The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is the largest number that divides two or
more numbers without leaving a remainder.
It's like finding the biggest piece that fits perfectly into two different puzzles! GCF helps us
simplify fractions, solve problems about sharing equally, and understand number relationships better.
How to Find the GCF
1️⃣ List the factors of each number (numbers that divide it evenly)
2️⃣ Identify the common factors that appear in both lists
3️⃣ Choose the largest number from the common factors
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: Find the GCF of 12 and 18
First, let's list all the factors:
Factors of 18:
Now click on the numbers that appear in both lists!
Example 2: Find the GCF of 24 and 36
Try this one on your own first!
Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24
Factors of 36: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
Common factors:
Greatest Common Factor:
Parent Tips 🌟
- Real-world connections: Show how GCF is used when dividing snacks equally among friends or organizing items into equal groups.
- Factor rainbows: Teach kids to draw "factor rainbows" to visually organize factors from smallest to largest.
- Game approach: Play "GCF Bingo" where you call out two numbers and kids find the GCF to mark their boards.