What is the GCF of 16, 24, and 32?

2 Answers
Apr 5, 2016

#8#

Explanation:

Working out all the factors of 16, 24 and 32, you will find that 8 is the greatest one that all of them share.

Also, you cannot have a factor that is greater than half of the lowest number, so 8 is the greatest possible factor of 16. It is also the difference between all the numbers, so it is a good place to begin.

Aug 18, 2016

#GCF = 2xx2xx2 = 8#

Explanation:

Write each number as the product of its prime factors.

It is then very easy to see exactly what factors they have in common.

#16 =color(red)(2xx2xx2)xx2 " "=2^4#
#32= color(red)(2xx2xx2)xx2xx2" "= color(blue)(2^5)#
#24= color(red)(2xx2xx2)xxcolor(white)(xxxxx)3" "= 2^3xxcolor(blue)(3)#

#GCF = color(red)(2xx2xx2) = 8" "larr# multiply together

From this, the LCM can also be found easily.

#LCM = 2xx2xx2xx2xx2xx3 = color(blue)(2^5 xx 3)= 96#

#color(white)(.............)# Use a factor from each column