Finding the greatest common factor (GCF) of two numbers is a simple process that can be done in a few steps. In this case, we want to find the GCF of 9 and 12.
What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?
The greatest common factor (GCF) is the largest number that divides two or more numbers without leaving a remainder. In other words, it is the largest number that is a factor of both numbers.
Step 1: List the Factors of Each Number
To find the GCF of 9 and 12, we need to list the factors of each number.
Factors of 9: 1, 3, 9 Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Step 2: Identify the Common Factors
Next, we need to identify the common factors of 9 and 12. The common factors are the numbers that appear in both lists.
Common factors: 1, 3
Step 3: Find the Greatest Common Factor
Finally, we need to find the greatest common factor. The greatest common factor is the largest number in the list of common factors.
GCF of 9 and 12: 3
Example Problems
Here are a few example problems to help you practice finding the GCF:
- Find the GCF of 6 and 8:
- Factors of 6: 1, 2, 3, 6
- Factors of 8: 1, 2, 4, 8
- Common factors: 1, 2
- GCF: 2
- Find the GCF of 15 and 20:
- Factors of 15: 1, 3, 5, 15
- Factors of 20: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20
- Common factors: 1, 5
- GCF: 5
Conclusion
Finding the greatest common factor (GCF) of two numbers is a simple process that involves listing the factors of each number, identifying the common factors, and finding the greatest common factor. With practice, you can become proficient in finding the GCF of two numbers.
What is the GCF of 9 and 12?
+The GCF of 9 and 12 is 3.
How do I find the GCF of two numbers?
+To find the GCF of two numbers, list the factors of each number, identify the common factors, and find the greatest common factor.
What is the difference between the GCF and the LCM?
+The GCF is the largest number that divides two or more numbers without leaving a remainder, while the LCM is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers.