Finding A GCF Lesson

Finding the Greatest Common Factor (or GCF) of two or more numbers or algebraic terms is an important process which is explained in this lesson. This process will be used in later lessons on factoring a GCF from an algebraic expression, and on simplifying
fractions.

In the first example, we will find the GCF of two numbers, 15 and 30. Begin by writing down all of the positive factors of each number.

15 (1, 3, 5, 15)
30 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30)

Next, mark all of the factors that both 15 and 30 have in common. In the example below, we marked the numbers by using bold text and highlighting. It is usually more convenient to circle or underline the numbers when working problems out on paper.

15 (1, 3, 5, 15)
30 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30)

The highest number, that both sets of factors have in common is the GCF. In this case, the GCF is 15.

Finding the GCF of two terms that contain variables, like the two terms below, is covered on the next.

14j2k3
21j

Finding A GCF

We will now present an example of finding the GCF of two algebraic terms:

14j2k3
21j

First, determine the numeric coefficient of each term:

14
21

Using the method shown earlier, find the GCF of each coefficient:

14 (1, 2, 7, 14)
21 (1, 3, 7, 21)

Greatest Common Factor / GCF = 7

Now find the smallest exponent of each variable. For the variable j we have an exponent of 2 and an exponent of 1 (recall that a variable has an exponent of 1 if the exponent isn’t explicitly shown). Thus, the lowest exponent for j is 1. So far we have

j1  or  j

Now recall that in a term where a given variable is not present, the variable has an exponent of 0. Thus for the variable k we have k3 and k0. As a result, we now have

jk0 or simply j

Thus, the GCF of the variables from each term is j.

Now the GCF of the two terms is the GCF of the coefficients times the GCF of the variables. So simply write the GCF of the coefficients (numbers) with the GCF of the letters

7j

Often, you will need to find the GCF of three or more terms. The methods are an extension of the methods presented for two terms. Instead of finding the greatest numeric factor common among two terms, you find the greatest factor that is common among
the 3 or more terms. And instead of finding the lowest exponent of a given variable between two terms, find the lowest exponent of a given variable among the three or more terms.

The work for finding the GCF of three terms is shown below.

102k5m2
51k
4m
153k
2m2

First find the GCF of the coefficients:

102 (1, 2, 3, 6, 17, 34, 51, 102)
51 (1, 3, 17, 51)
153 (1, 3, 9, 17, 51, 153)

GCF (of coefficients only) = 51

Next find the GCF of the variables:

k
5m2

k
4m

k
2m2

GCF (of variables) = k2m

Now multiply the two GCFs
GCF of the entire term = 51k2m

Greatest Common Factors (GCF) Resources

Practice Problems / Worksheet — Numbers
Finding the GCF of numbers only.

Practive Problems — Terms
Finding the GCF of two algebraic terms.


Next Lesson:
GCF From an Expression

Factor the Greatest Common Factor out of a polynomial.

Tutoring

Looking for someone to help you with algebra? At Wyzant, connect with algebra tutors and math tutors nearby. Prefer to meet online? Find online algebra tutors or online math tutors in a couple of clicks.

Scroll to Top