Question

How do you find the GCF of `42a^2b, 6a^2, 18a^3`?

Answer 1

Greatest Common Factor ( GCF ) of the three algebraic expressions given is equal to `color(red) (6a^2)`

Explanation:

The Highest Common Factor (HCF) or the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of algebraic expressions is obtained in a similar way to the method used for numbers.

Write the factors of `42a^2b = (7*2*3*a*a*b)`
Write the factors of `6a^2 = (2*3*a*a)`
Write the factors of `18a^3 = (2*3*3*a*a*a)`

We observe that the common factors are `(2*3*a*a)`

Hence, GCF = Product of common factors = `color(red)(6a^2)`

I hope this procedure helps.