How do you find the GCF of 16, 56?

1 Answer
Jan 7, 2017

The GCF is #8#

Explanation:

Method 1 - Subtraction

One method of finding the GCF of two positive numbers goes as follows:

  • If the two numbers are equal to the same value then that is the GCF.

  • Otherwise subtract the smaller number from the larger and repeat.

So in our example:

Given: #16, 56#

  • Subtract #16# from #56# to get: #16, 40#

  • Subtract #16# from #40# to get: #16, 24#

  • Subtract #16# from #24# to get: #16, 8#

  • Subtract #8# from #16# to get: #8, 8#

So the GCF is #8#

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Method 2 - Division

Given two numbers, you can find their GCF as follows:

  • Divide the larger number by the smaller to give a quotient and remainder.

  • If the remainder is #0# then the smaller number is the GCF.

  • Otherwise repeat with the smaller number and the remainder.

So in our example:

#56 / 16 = 3" "# with remainder #8#

#16 / 8 = 2" "# with remainder #0#

So the GCF is #8#