Common factorsWhat are common factors?

A factor is a number that divides into another number exactly. A common factor is a number that two numbers can both divide into exactly. The highest common factor is the largest number that divide into two numbers exactly.

Part ofMathsMultiples, factors and primes

What are common factors?

Look at the factors of the following two numbers:

  • The factors of \({12}\) are \({1}\), \({2}\), \({3}\), \({4}\), \({6}\) and \({12}\)
  • The factors of \({18}\) are \({1}\), \({2}\), \({3}\), \({6}\), \({9}\) and \({18}\)

\({1}\), \({2}\), \({3}\) and \({6}\) are factors of both \({12}\) and \({18}\).

They are known as the common factors of \({12}\) and \({18}\).

Question

What are the common factors of \(30\) and \(36\)?

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