STEP 1

Express each number as a

product of its prime factors
90 = 2 x 32 x 5
360 = 23 x 32 x 5
1260 = 22 x 32 x 5 x 7
 STEP 2
Extract all of the COMMON
FACTORS and then select the
common factor with the LOWEST
POWER.
90 = 2 x 32 x 5
360 = 23 x 32 x 5
1260= 22 x 32 x 5 x 7
The common factors selected are:
2, 32, and 5
 STEP 3
Find the product of the
selected common factors
H.C.F = 2 x 32x 5 = 90
 EXAMPLES
Find the HCF of (a) 24 and 56
(b) 45,72 and 108
SOLUTION
(a) 24 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 = 23 x 3
36 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x3 =22 x 33
Common factors with lowest power: 22 ,3
Therefore H.C.F. = 22 x 3= 4 x 3 = 12
 EXAMPLES
SOLUTION
(b) 45 = 32 x 5 72= 23 x 32 108 = 22 x 33

Common factor with lowest power: 32

Therefore H.C.F. = 32 = 3 x 3 = 9
 QUIZ
(1) Find the H.C.F. of (a) 18, 42 (b) 25, 50,
75
(2) Mary did her test in 24 minutes. Sean
did hers in 30 minutes and Nan did hers in
36 minutes. If they each took the same
amount of time on each question that they
did, what was the largest number of
minutes required per question?
 ANSWERS
(1) (a) 6 (b) 25

(2) 6 minutes